Dues Eversor!

This poem was written by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island in South Carolina. The poem was originally published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on November 16, 1861.

Deus Eversor! “Amen, it was well!”
We say, and, looking back,
See the crushed ruins of the powers that were
Lie strewn along Time’s track.

The ruins and the wrecks of pomp and power,
The glories of the past,
The tyrannies upbuilded on the wrong,
The giant shadows cast

Across the gateway of Eternal Truth,
The Babels reared on high,
The manacles for Freedom, and the laws
That mocked at equity.

Deus eversor! Thundered down the word,
And swept the pathway clear,
Nor stayed for Roman power, or Grecian fame,
For courage or for fear.

Deus eversor! “God, so let it be!”
But now we pray it low,
And hold our breath the while, with shrinking dread,
Before prophetic woe -

The devastation, earthquake, ruin, blood,
That prophecy must bring,
Ere earth is ready, in humility,
To throne her coming King.

It needs a firm step on the vantage ground
Of calm and steady faith,
Ere we, with steady hearts, can echo back
The words the prophet saith;

Ere we can see the nations fall and rise;
Friends on the battle-field,
The firm supports of government and law
To treacherous ruin yield,

And sing, “Amen! Amen! So let it be!”
Nor lips or hearts complain;
Deus everysor, till the right shall win,
The Lord of freedom reign.
Ellen.