 | The poetical works of James Montgomery |  |
No. III. SLAVERY THAT WAS.
Ages, ages have departed
Since the first dark vessel bore
Afric's children, broken-hearted,
To the Caribbèan shore;
She like Rachel,
Weeping, for they were no more.
Since the first dark vessel bore
Afric's children, broken-hearted,
To the Caribbèan shore;
She like Rachel,
Weeping, for they were no more.
Millions, millions, have been slaughter'd
In the fight and on the deep;
Millions, millions more have water'd,
With such tears as captives weep,
Fields of travail,
Where their bones till doomsday sleep.
In the fight and on the deep;
Millions, millions more have water'd,
With such tears as captives weep,
Fields of travail,
Where their bones till doomsday sleep.
Mercy, mercy, vainly pleading,
Rent her garments, smote her breast,
Till a voice from heaven proceeding,
Gladden'd all the gloomy west,—
“Come, ye weary!
Come, and I will give you rest!”
Rent her garments, smote her breast,
Till a voice from heaven proceeding,
Gladden'd all the gloomy west,—
“Come, ye weary!
Come, and I will give you rest!”
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Tidings, tidings of salvation!
Britons rose with one accord,
Purged the plague-spot from our nation,
Negroes to their rights restored;
Slaves no longer,
Free-men,—Free-men of the Lord.
Britons rose with one accord,
Purged the plague-spot from our nation,
Negroes to their rights restored;
Slaves no longer,
Free-men,—Free-men of the Lord.
| The poetical works of James Montgomery | |