The Slave's Complaint

George Moses Horton 1779 (North Carolina) – 1883



Am I sadly cast aside,
   On misfortune's rugged tide?
   Will the world my pains deride
         Forever?
   Must I dwell in Slavery's night,
   And all pleasure take its flight,
   Far beyond my feeble sight,
         Forever?
   Worst of all, must Hope grow dim,
  And withhold her cheering beam?
  Rather let me sleep and dream
        Forever!

  Something still my heart surveys,
  Groping through this dreary maze;
  Is it Hope? -- then burn and blaze
        Forever!

  Leave me not a wretch confined,
  Altogether lame and blind --
  Unto gross despair consigned,
        Forever!

  Heaven! in whom can I confide?
  Canst thou not for all provide?
  Condescend to be my guide
        Forever:

  And when this transient life shall end,
  Oh, may some kind eternal friend
  Bid me from servitude ascend,
        Forever!

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

38 sec read
149

Quick analysis:

Scheme aaaBcccBxddB eeeB fffB aaaB gggB
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 807
Words 127
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 12, 4, 4, 4, 4

George Moses Horton

George Moses Horton was an African-American poet and the first African American poet to be published in the Southern United States. His book was published in 1828 while he was still a slave; he remained a slave until he was emancipated late in the Civil War. more…

All George Moses Horton poems | George Moses Horton Books

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