1864

THE CAPTIVE LOOSED

by William Cullen Bryant

THE CAPTIVE LOOSED -

When, doomed to death, the Apostle lay,

At night, in Herod's dungeon-cell,

A light shone round him like the day,

And from his limbs the fetters fell. -

A messenger from God was there,

To loose his chain and bid him rise,

And lo, the Saint, as free as air,

Walked forth beneath the open skies. -

Chains yet more strong and cruel bind

The victims of that deadly thirst

Which drowns the soul, and from the mind

Blots the bright image stamped at first. -

Oh, God of Love and Mercy, deign

To look on those, with pitying eye,

Who struggle with that fatal chain,

And send them succor from on high. -

Send down, in its resistless might,

Thy gracious Spirit, we implore,

And lead the captive forth to light,

A rescued soul, a slave no more. - -