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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FREE TRADER'S LAMENT by AMBROSE BIERCE

Poem Explanation

First Line: OFT FROM A TRADING-BOAT I PURCHASED SPICE
Subject(s): EXTORTION;
Oft from a trading-boat I purchased spice
Oft from a trading-boat I purchased spice
And shells and corals, brought for my inspection
And shells and corals, brought for my inspection
From the fair tropics-paid a Christian price
From the fair tropics-paid a Christian price
And was content in my fool's paradise,
And was content in my fool's paradise,
Where never had been heard the word "Protection."
Where never had been heard the word "Protection."

T was my sole island; there I dwelt alone-

No customs-house, collector nor collection,
'T was my sole island; there I dwelt alone-
But a man came, who, in a pious tone
No customs-house, collector nor collection,
Condoled with me that I had never known
But a man came, who, in a pious tone
The manifest advantage of Protection.
Condoled with me that I had never known

The manifest advantage of Protection.
So, when the trading-boat arrived one day,

He threw a stink-pot into its mid-section.

The traders paddled for their lives away,
So, when the trading-boat arrived one day,
Nor came again into that haunted bay,
He threw a stink-pot into its mid-section.
The blessed home thereafter of Protection.
The traders paddled for their lives away,

Nor came again into that haunted bay,
Then down he sat, that philanthropic man,
The blessed home thereafter of Protection.
And spat upon some mud of his selection,

And worked it, with his knuckles in a pan,

To shapes of shells and coral things, and span
Then down he sat, that philanthropic man,
A thread of song in glory of Protection.
And spat upon some mud of his selection,

And worked it, with his knuckles in a pan,
He baked them in the sun. His air devout
To shapes of shells and coral things, and span
Enchanted me. I made a genuflexion:
A thread of song in glory of Protection.
"God help you, gentle sir," I said. "No doubt,"

He answered gravely, "I'll get on without

Assistance now that we have got Protection."
He baked them in the sun. His air devout

Enchanted me. I made a genuflexion:
Thenceforth I bought his wares-at what a price
God help you, gentle sir, I said. "No doubt,"
For shells and corals of such imperfection!
He answered gravely, "I'll get on without
"Ah, now," said he, "your lot is truly nice."
Assistance now that we have got Protection."
But still in all that isle there was no spice

To season to my taste that dish, Protection.


Thenceforth I bought his wares-at what a price
For shells and corals of such imperfection!
Ah, now, said he, "your lot is truly nice."
But still in all that isle there was no spice
To season to my taste that dish, Protection.






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