African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

Hilary Teague, "Poem" (1903)

[The following Ode was written by Hilary Teague, a senator of the Liberian Republic, in 1843. It embraces a beautiful exposition of the history, trials, exertions and aspirations of the Liberian colonists. Mr. Teague was the son of a Virginia slave, and was taken to Liberia when very young, where he received his education. He made rapid advances in learning, overcoming the difficulties of several languages, ancient and modern. ] — ED.

[From the Liberia Herald.]

Land of the mighty Dead!
Here Science once display'd,
   And Art, their charms;
Here awful Pharaohs sway'd
Great nations who obey'd;
Here distant monarchs laid
   Their vanquish'd arms.

They hold us in survey-- 
They cheer us on our way
   They loud proclaim,
From pyramidal hall,—-
From Carnac's sculptur'd wall
From Thebes they loudly call-
   "Retake your fame!"

"All hail Liberia! Hail!
Arise and now prevail
   O'er all thy foes;
In truth and righteousness
In all the arts of peace
Advance, and still increase,
   Though hosts oppose."

At the loud call we rise
And press towards the prize,
   In glory's race;
All redolent of fame,
The land to which we came,
We'll breathe the inspiring flame,
   And onward press.

Here Liberty shall dwell,
Here Justice shall prevail;
   Religion here;
To this, fair Virtue's dome
Meek Innocence may come,
And find a peaceful home,
   And know no fear.

Oppression's cursed yoke,
By freemen shall be broke—
   In dust be laid;
The soul erect and free,
Here evermore shall be;
To none we'll bend the knee
   But Nature's God.

Proud Science here shall rear
Her monuments, to bear
   With deathless tongue;
By nations yet unborn
Her glories shall be known,
And Art her tribute join,
   The praise prolong.

Commerce shall lift her head,
Th' auspicious gales shall spread
   Expanded wing;
From India's spicy land,
From Europe's rock-bound strand,
From Peru's golden strand
   Her tribute bring.

Oh Lord! we look to Thee
To Thee for help we flee,
   Lord, hear our prayer!
In righteousness arise,
Scatter our enemies,
Their hellish plots surprise
   And drive them far!

O happy people they,
Who Israel's God obey,
   Whose Lord is God;
They shall be blest indeed,
From anxious cares be freed,
And for them is decreed
   A large reward.

Published in Colored American Magazine, May 1903
 

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