The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale In two volumes |
 | I. |
 | II. |
|
|
VERSES ON THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE. |
 | The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale |  |
325
VERSES ON THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
While iron hearts of the commercial race,
Dead to the feelings of each moral grace,
To Afric's woes refuse the just relief;
Fell agents of their pandemonian chief;
Who fires his advocates; his chosen band;
Though legislators to a Christian land:
See heaven-born genius noble thoughts display!
Illumined with it's GOD'S paternal ray!
His favourite sons, harmonious with His mind;
Destined to govern, and protect mankind;
The cause of freedom ardently maintain;
Crush, o'er the Atlantic, Satan's ruthless reign;
The truly great are ever the humane.
Dead to the feelings of each moral grace,
To Afric's woes refuse the just relief;
Fell agents of their pandemonian chief;
Who fires his advocates; his chosen band;
Though legislators to a Christian land:
See heaven-born genius noble thoughts display!
Illumined with it's GOD'S paternal ray!
His favourite sons, harmonious with His mind;
Destined to govern, and protect mankind;
The cause of freedom ardently maintain;
Crush, o'er the Atlantic, Satan's ruthless reign;
The truly great are ever the humane.
326
Born to be free, brave children of the sun!
White cruelty, at length, it's course hath run.
For you I oft have poured the plaintive strain;
When oft I felt, for you, transmitted pain.
“Let Afric, and her hundred thrones rejoice!”
Let Christians join their warm applauding voice!
If selfish, vulgar tyrants urge their plan;
The slow, deliberate murderers of man;
Debase GOD'S image in the human soul;
And sink it with their dark, and dire controul;
Ethereal minds diffuse their cheering light,
And quell the demons of eternal night;
Like Sol, to bless the universe, they shine;
Bright emanations of the POWER DIVINE!
White cruelty, at length, it's course hath run.
For you I oft have poured the plaintive strain;
When oft I felt, for you, transmitted pain.
“Let Afric, and her hundred thrones rejoice!”
Let Christians join their warm applauding voice!
If selfish, vulgar tyrants urge their plan;
The slow, deliberate murderers of man;
Debase GOD'S image in the human soul;
And sink it with their dark, and dire controul;
Ethereal minds diffuse their cheering light,
And quell the demons of eternal night;
Like Sol, to bless the universe, they shine;
Bright emanations of the POWER DIVINE!
Lesbury, June 13th, 1804.
| The Poetical Works of Percival Stockdale | |