Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SLAVERY (1), by GEORGE MOSES HORTON


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SLAVERY (1), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Slavery, thou peace-disturbing thief
Last Line: And thunders, let the slave be free!
Subject(s): Slavery; Serfs


Slavery, thou peace-disturbing thief,
We can't but look with frowns on thee,
Without the balm which gives relief,
The balm of birthright -- Liberty.

Thy wing has been for ages furl'd,
Thy vessel toss'd from wave to wave,
By stormy winds 'mid billows hurl'd --
Such is the fate of every slave.

A loathesome burden we are to bear,
Through sultry bogs we trudging go;
Thy rusty chains we frown to wear,
Without one inch of wealth to show.

Our fathers from their native land
Were dragged across the brackish deep,
Bound fast together, hand in hand,
O! did the God of nature sleep?

When sadly thro' the almond grove
The pirate dragged them o'er the sod,
Devoid of pity and of love,
They seemed as left without a God.

Are we not men as well as they,
Born to enjoy the good of earth,
Brought in creation from the clay,
To reap a blessing from our birth?

Alas! how can such rebels thrive,
Who take our lives and wealth away,
Since all were placed on earth to live,
And prosper by the light of day.

The maledictions of our God,
Pervade the dwindling world we see;
He hurls the vengeance with his rod,
And thunders, let the slave be free!





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