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THE FREE TRADER'S LAMENT, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Oft from a trading-boat I purchased spice
Subject(s): Extortion


Oft from a trading-boat I purchased spice
Oft from a trading-boat I purchased spice
And shells and corals, brought for my inspection
And shells and corals, brought for my inspection
From the fair tropics-paid a Christian price
From the fair tropics-paid a Christian price
And was content in my fool's paradise,
And was content in my fool's paradise,
Where never had been heard the word "Protection."
Where never had been heard the word "Protection."

T was my sole island; there I dwelt alone-

No customs-house, collector nor collection,
'T was my sole island; there I dwelt alone-
But a man came, who, in a pious tone
No customs-house, collector nor collection,
Condoled with me that I had never known
The manifest advantage of Protection.
But a man came, who, in a pious tone

Condoled with me that I had never known
The manifest advantage of Protection.
So, when the trading-boat arrived one day,

He threw a stink-pot into its mid-section.
The traders paddled for their lives away,

Nor came again into that haunted bay,
So, when the trading-boat arrived one day,
He threw a stink-pot into its mid-section.
The blessed home thereafter of Protection.
The traders paddled for their lives away,

Nor came again into that haunted bay,
Then down he sat, that philanthropic man,
The blessed home thereafter of Protection.
And spat upon some mud of his selection,

And worked it, with his knuckles in a pan,

To shapes of shells and coral things, and span
A thread of song in glory of Protection.
Then down he sat, that philanthropic man,
And spat upon some mud of his selection,

He baked them in the sun. His air devout
And worked it, with his knuckles in a pan,
To shapes of shells and coral things, and span
Enchanted me. I made a genuflexion:
A thread of song in glory of Protection.
"God help you, gentle sir," I said. "No doubt,"

He answered gravely, "I'll get on without

Assistance now that we have got Protection."
He baked them in the sun. His air devout

Enchanted me. I made a genuflexion:
Thenceforth I bought his wares-at what a price
For shells and corals of such imperfection!
God help you, gentle sir, I said. "No doubt,"
"Ah, now," said he, "your lot is truly nice."
He answered gravely, "I'll get on without
Assistance now that we have got Protection."
But still in all that isle there was no spice

To season to my taste that dish, Protection.


Thenceforth I bought his wares-at what a price
For shells and corals of such imperfection!
Ah, now, said he, "your lot is truly nice."
But still in all that isle there was no spice
To season to my taste that dish, Protection.








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