I. <br />FRIENDof the Slave, and yet the friend of all; <br />Lover of peace, yet ever foremost when <br />The need of battling Freedom called for men <br />To plant the banner on the outer wall; <br />Gentle and kindly, ever at distress <br />Melted to more than woman's tenderness, <br />Yet firm and steadfast, at his duty's post <br />Fronting the violence of a maddened host, <br />Like some-gray rock from which the waves are tossed! <br />Knowing his deeds of love, men questioned not <br />The faith of one whose walk and word were right; <br />Who tranquilly in Life's great task-field wrought, <br />And, side by side with evil, scarcely caught <br />A stain upon his pilgrim garb of white: <br />Prompt to redress another's wrong, his own <br />Leaving to Time and Truth and Penitence alone. <br />II. <br />Such was our friend. Formed on the good old plan, <br />A true and brave and downright honest man! <br />He blew no trumpet in the market-place, <br />Nor in the church with hypocritic face <br />Supplied with cant the lack of Christian grace; <br />Loathing pretence, he did with cheerful will <br />What others talked of while their hands were still; <br />And, while 'Lord, Lord!' the pious tyrants cried, <br />Who, in the poor, their Master crucified, <br />His daily prayer, far better understood. <br />In acts than words, was simply doing good. <br />So calm, so constant was his rectitude, <br />That by his loss alone we know its worth, <br />And feel how true a man has walked with us on earth.<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/daniel-neall/
