The little peoples of the troubled earth, The little nations that are weak and white; -- For them the glory of another birth, For them the lifting of the veil of night. The big men of the world in concert met, Have sent forth in their power a new decree: Upon the old harsh wrongs the sun must set, Henceforth the little peoples must be free! But we, the blacks, less than the trampled dust, Who walk the new ways with the old dim eyes, -- We to the ancient gods of greed and lust Must still be offered up as sacrifice: Oh, we who deign to live but will not dare, The white world's burden must forever bear! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ARABIAN SHAWL by KATHERINE MANSFIELD ETHIOPIA SALUTING THE COLORS by WALT WHITMAN THE WHITE CHARGER by ABUS SALT TWO KINDS OF RICHES by WILLIAM BLAKE TO A YOUTHFUL FRIEND by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |