# To the Hibernia explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis.

## What happens

A poem bidding farewell to a ship carrying the 'Champion of the slave' to Britain, invoking divine protection and celebrating the mission to spread freedom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy of Freedom

The poem contrasts America's enslavement with the champion's mission to 'raise the standard high' for true freedom abroad.

### Faith and Prayer

The speaker invokes God's protection over the voyage, trusting divine guidance in the fight against slavery.

## Character check-ins

### Champion of the Slave

The unnamed abolitionist figure sailing to Britain to advance the cause of freedom.

## Key lines

> Thou bearest to old Britain’s shores, The Champion of the slave.

You carry the advocate for enslaved people to the shores of Britain.

_Identifies the ship's passenger as a leading abolitionist._

> He goes to raise the standard high, And freedom’s flag unfurl, And to proclaim the rallying cry Of freedom to the world.

He travels to lift the banner of liberty high and announce the call for freedom everywhere.

_Describes the champion's mission to spread abolitionist ideals globally._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_20_se/chapters/to-the-hibernia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_20_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_20_se/chapters