Bewailing mid the ruthless wave, I lift my feeble hand to thee. Let me no longer live a slave But drop these fetters and be free. Why will regardless fortune sleep Deaf to my penitential prayer, Or leave the struggling Bard to weep, Alas, and languish in despair? He is an eagle void of wings Aspiring to the mountain's height; Yet in the vale aloud he sings For Pity's aid to give him flight. Then listen all who never felt For fettered genius heretofore -- Let hearts of petrifaction melt And bid the gifted Negro soar. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KEATS TO FANNY BRAWNE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE FARM CHILD'S LULLABY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR GARDEN DAYS: 6. AUTUMN FIRES by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON A MATCH by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE IDYLLS OF THE KING: GUINEVERE by ALFRED TENNYSON THE LORD SPEAKS by KARLE WILSON BAKER OF SIR PHILIP SIDNEY by JOHN BEAUMONT |