Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
Sometimes they act the harmless man,
And modest looks they wear;
That so, deceiv’d the poor may less
Their sudden onset fear.
For, God, they think, no notice takes,
Of their unrighteous deeds;
He never minds the su’ring poor,
Nor their oppression heeds.
But thou, O Lord, at length arise,
Stretch forth thy mighty arm,
And, by the greatness of thy pow’r,
Defend the poor from harm.
No longer let the wicked vaunt,
And, proudly boasting, say,
“Tush, God regards not what we do;”
“He never will repay.”
—Common Prayer Book.
Shall I for fear of feeble man,
The spirit’s course in me restrain?
Or, undismay’d in deed and word,
Be a true witness of my Lord.
Aw’d by mortal’s frown, shall I
Conceal the word of God Most High!
How then before thee shall I dare
To stand, or how thy anger bear?
Shall I, to soothe th’ unholy throng,
Soften the truth, or smooth my tongue,
To gain earth’s gilded toys or, ee
The cross endur’d, my Lord, by thee?
What then is he whose scorn I dread?
Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid
A man! an heir of death! a slave
To sin! a bubble on the wave!
Yea, let men rage, since thou will spread
Thy shadowing wings around my head:
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