Humanity, or the rights of nature, a poem in two books. By the author of sympathy [i.e. S. J. Pratt] |
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| I. |
| II. |
 | Humanity, or the rights of nature, a poem |  |
Blest be the man and worthy to be blest,
Friend of the Wretched, Guardian of th'oppress'd,
Blest be the Man—ye Negroes bow the knee,
And bless him, Thou, Oh! sweet HUMANITY—
Who, scorning interest, thus pourtray'd the plan,
That gave to Men the awful rights of Man:
“Awake my friends, at mercy's call awake,
“Haste, haste the chains of Slavery to break;
“Oh! Race dishonour'd, whose sad forms we tear,
“Nor heed our species, heed our kindred there,
“Too long on sordid Altars have ye bled,
“From Christian hearts too long has Mercy fled:
“At length return'd, the Goddess brings relief,
“From Heav'n she comes to sooth the Captive's grief;
“My brethren rise, the galling chains unbind,
“And give the generous Model to mankind,
“What Avarice seiz'd let Justice now restore,
“Let Negroes serve, but serve as Slaves no more;
“This the new Law—Let each a shackle rend,
“Till Freedom reigns and Slavery shall end.
“Or if the name of Slave must yet remain,
“Strive not for words, so we remove the pain;—
“Strive not for words, so we the rights supply,
“The ravish'd rights of sweet HUMANITY!”
Friend of the Wretched, Guardian of th'oppress'd,
Blest be the Man—ye Negroes bow the knee,
And bless him, Thou, Oh! sweet HUMANITY—
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That gave to Men the awful rights of Man:
“Awake my friends, at mercy's call awake,
“Haste, haste the chains of Slavery to break;
“Oh! Race dishonour'd, whose sad forms we tear,
“Nor heed our species, heed our kindred there,
“Too long on sordid Altars have ye bled,
“From Christian hearts too long has Mercy fled:
“At length return'd, the Goddess brings relief,
“From Heav'n she comes to sooth the Captive's grief;
“My brethren rise, the galling chains unbind,
“And give the generous Model to mankind,
“What Avarice seiz'd let Justice now restore,
“Let Negroes serve, but serve as Slaves no more;
“This the new Law—Let each a shackle rend,
“Till Freedom reigns and Slavery shall end.
“Or if the name of Slave must yet remain,
“Strive not for words, so we remove the pain;—
“Strive not for words, so we the rights supply,
“The ravish'd rights of sweet HUMANITY!”
| Humanity, or the rights of nature, a poem | |