And something every day they live The love that cheers life's latest stage, VOL. I. R THE NEGRO'S COMPLAINT. FORCED from home and all its pleasures, But, though slave they have enroll'd me, Still in thought as free as ever, What are England's rights, I ask, Skins may differ, but affection Dwells in white and black the same. Why did all-creating nature Make the plant for which we toil? Sighs must fan it, tears must water, Sweat of ours must dress the soil. Think, ye masters iron-hearted, Lolling at your jovial boards, Think how many backs have smarted For the sweets your cane affords. Is there, as ye sometimes tell us, Speaking from his throne the sky? Ask him, if your knotted scourges, Matches, blood-extorting screws, Are the means that duty urges Agents of his will to use? Hark! he answers-wild tornadoes, By our blood in Afric wasted, Ere our necks received the chain ; By the miseries that we tasted, Crossing in your barks the main ; By our sufferings, since ye brought us To the man-degrading mart; All sustain'd by patience, taught us Only by a broken heart; Deem our nation brutes no longer, Slaves of gold, whose sordid dealings PITY FOR POOR AFRICANS. knaves; Video meliora proboque, I own I am shock'd at the purchase of slaves, I pity them greatly, but I must be mum, What, give up our desserts, our coffee, and tea! Besides, if we do, the French, Dutch, and Danes Will heartily thank us, no doubt, for our pains; If we do not buy the poor creatures, they will, And tortures and groans will be multiplied still. If foreigners likewise would give up the trade, Much more in behalf of your wish might be said; But, while they get riches by purchasing blacks, Pray tell me why we may not also go snacks? Your scruples and arguments bring to my mind A youngster at school, more sedate than the rest, "Oh no! He was shock'd, sir, like you, and answer'd— "You speak very fine, and you look very grave, But apples we want, and apples we'll have; If you will go with us, you shall have a share, If not, you shall have neither apple nor pear.” They spoke, and Tom ponder'd—" I see they Poor man! what a pity to injure him so! "If the matter depended alone upon me, [tree; His apples might hang till they dropp'd from the But since they will take them, I think I'll go too, He will loose none by me, though I get a few.” |