Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BIBLE DEFENCE OF SLAVERY, by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BIBLE DEFENCE OF SLAVERY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Take sackcloth of the darkest dye
Last Line: Make heathens at your doors!
Subject(s): Bible; Slavery; Serfs


Take sackcloth of the darkest dye,
And shroud the pulpits round!
Servants of Him that cannot lie,
Sit mourning on the ground.

Let holy horror blanch each cheek,
Pale every brow with fears;
And rocks and stones, if ye could speak,
Ye well might melt to tears!

Let sorrow breathe in every tone,
In every strain ye raise;
Insult not God's majestic throne
With th' mockery of praise.

A "reverend" man, whose light should be
The guide of age and youth,
Brings to the shrine of Slavery
The sacrifice of truth!

For the direst wrong by man imposed,
Since Sodom's fearful cry,
The word of life has been unclos'd,
To give your God the lie.

Oh! when ye pray for heathen lands,
And plead for their dark shores,
Remember Slavery's cruel hands
Make heathens at your doors!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net