Thy country, Wilberforce, with just disdain, Hears thee by cruel men and impious called Fanatic, for thy zeal to loose th' enthralled From exile, public sale, and slav'ry's chain. Friend of the poor, the wronged, the fetter gall'd, Fear not lest labour such as thine be vain. Thou hast achieved a part--hast gained the ear Of Britain's senate to thy glorious cause; Hope smiles, joy springs, and though cold caution pause And weave delay, the better hour is near That shall remunerate thy toils severe By peace for Afric fenced with British laws. Enjoy what thou hast won, esteem and love From all the good on earth, and all the Blest above! WILLIAM COWPER. _To William Wilberforce, Esqre, on the preceding Sonnet._ When Virtue saw with brave disdain Lucre's infuriate sons profane Her Wilberforce's worth; As she beheld with generous ire, His image fashioned for the fire Of diabolic mirth: "Firm friend of suffering slaves!" she cried, "These frantic outrages deride, While I protect thy name! Soon shall one dear selected hand Richly o'erpay at my command, Indignity with Fame: "Since thou hast won, in Nature's cause, My fondest love, my prime applause, Thy Honour is my care; Now shall my favourite Bard be thine: My Cowper, guard of glory's shine! Shall grave thy merits there." WILLIAM HAYLEY. [Illustration: BIRTHPLACE OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, AT HULL.] _HOME LETTERS_ HOME LETTERS. The family letters which follow are some of a religious character, while others turn on more general topics. Four letters written by Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth, aged fifteen at the date the correspondence begins, show the care with which he instilled into her mind all that he considered of most moment; also how he exercised "the privilege of a friend," for such he considered himself to his daughter, and "told her frankly all her faults." _Mr. Wilberforce to his daughter Elizabeth. "November 30, 1816._