Bewailing mid the ruthless wave, I lift my feeble hand to thee. Let me no longer live a slave But drop these fetters and be free. Why will regardless fortune sleep Deaf to my penitential prayer, Or leave the struggling Bard to weep, Alas, and languish in despair? He is an eagle void of wings Aspiring to the mountain's height; Yet in the vale aloud he sings For Pity's aid to give him flight. Then listen all who never felt For fettered genius heretofore -- Let hearts of petrifaction melt And bid the gifted Negro soar. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE THE HUMBLE-BEE by RALPH WALDO EMERSON AGAINST THEM WHO LAY UNCHASTITY TO THE SEX OF WOMAN by WILLIAM HABINGTON EPIGRAM: 118. ON GUT by BEN JONSON TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 2: 7. TO THE BODY by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE TO ANACREON by ANTIPATER OF SIDON |