Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE: 5, by ROBERT SOUTHEY



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POEMS ON THE SLAVE TRADE: 5, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Did then the bold slave rear at last the sword
Last Line: But sweetens with revenge, the draught of death.
Subject(s): Abolitionists; Slavery; Anti-slavery; Serfs


Did then the bold slave rear at last the sword
Of vengeance? drenched he deep its thirsty blade
In the cold bosom of his tyrant lord?
Oh! who shall blame him? through the midnight shade
Still o'er his tortured memory rushed the thought
Of every past delight; his native grove,
Friendship's best joys, and liberty and love,
All lost for ever! then remembrance wrought
His soul to madness: round his restless bed
Freedom's pale specter stalked, with a stern smile
Pointing the wounds of slavery, the while
She shook her chains and hung her sullen head:
No more on Heaven he calls with fruitless breath,
But sweetens with revenge, the draught of death.





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