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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NATION'S FRIEND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: This nation has a faithful friend
Last Line: And hail the name of sumner.
Subject(s): Sumner, Charles (1811-1874)


This nation has a faithful friend,
In whom she may confide;
Whose influence is like a sea,
Flowing both deep and wide.

Let us behold the sea, how calm --
What ships her billows float,
Come let us hasten to the shore,
And get on freedom's boat.

Upon her deck the nations meet;
The white and colored there,
Where no first place nor second known,
No difference in the fare.

I saw her raise her banner high,
And cast it to the breeze,
While tempests raged and billows rolled
She sailed through gulfs and seas.

Through smoke and fog she onward went
This nation to defend,
When Dixie cried, "Take her last son,
And her last dollar spend."

When hissing shot around her fell,
From rebel cannon's mouth,
She stood the storm, the rain, the hail,
And now can stand the drouth.

I heard her cry, while sailing on --
And Justice is her name --
Grant equal rights to every man,
And amnesty the same.

She soon will land her noble crew
Within a city bright,
Where nations in one brotherhood
Drink national delight.

Where we may have our public schools,
With open doors displayed;
Where all may drink at wisdom's fount
With none to make afraid.

Young friends, I know you will be there
Bright, shining, as the sun;
With equal rights secured to all,
When Sumner's work is done.

The nation's friend! still firm he stands,
With neither sleep nor slumber,
Come every Freedman in this land
And hail the name of Sumner.





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