The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
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HYMN
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 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
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HYMN
WRITTEN FOR THE PRINTERS OF SHEFFIELD.
Lord! taught by Thee, when Caxton bade
His silent words for ever speak;
A grave for tyrants then was made,
Then crack'd the chain which yet shall break.
His silent words for ever speak;
A grave for tyrants then was made,
Then crack'd the chain which yet shall break.
For bread, for bread, the all-scorn'd man,
With study worn, his press prepared;
And knew not, Lord, thy wondrous plan,
Nor what he did, nor what he dared.
With study worn, his press prepared;
And knew not, Lord, thy wondrous plan,
Nor what he did, nor what he dared.
When first the might of deathless thought
Impress'd his all-instructing page,
Unconscious giant! how he smote
The fraud and force of many an age!
Impress'd his all-instructing page,
Unconscious giant! how he smote
The fraud and force of many an age!
Pale wax'd the harlot, fear'd of thrones,
And they who bought her harlotry:
He shook the throned on dead men's bones,
He shakes—all evil yet to be!
And they who bought her harlotry:
He shook the throned on dead men's bones,
He shakes—all evil yet to be!
The pow'r He grasp'd let none disdain;
It conquer'd once, and conquers still;
By fraud and force assail'd in vain,
It conquer'd erst, and ever will.
It conquer'd once, and conquers still;
By fraud and force assail'd in vain,
It conquer'd erst, and ever will.
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It conquers here! the fight is won!
We thank thee, Lord, with many a tear!
For many a not unworthy son
Of Caxton does thy bidding here.
We thank thee, Lord, with many a tear!
For many a not unworthy son
Of Caxton does thy bidding here.
We help ourselves, thy cause we aid;
We build for Heav'n, beneath the skies:
And bless Thee, Lord, that Thou hast made
Our daily bread of tyrants' sighs.
We build for Heav'n, beneath the skies:
And bless Thee, Lord, that Thou hast made
Our daily bread of tyrants' sighs.
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |