Inscription under the Picture of an aged Slave

Inscription under the Picture of an aged Slave

ART thou a Woman? - so am I, and all
That woman can be, I have been, or am;
A daughter, sister, consort, mother, widow.
Which of these thou art, oh be the friend
Of one is what thou canst never be!
Look on thyself thy kindred, home, and cry, "Thank God,
An English woman cannot be a SLAVE!"

ART thou a man? - Oh! I have known, have loved,
And lost all that to woman man can be:
A father, brother, husband, son, who shared
My bliss in freedom and my wo in bondage.
A childless widow now, a friendless slave,
What shall I ask of thee, since I have nought
To lose but life's sad burden; nought to gain
But heaven's repose? - These are beyond thy power;
Me thou canst neither wrong nor help; - what then?
Go to the bosom of thy family,
Gather thy little children round thy knees,
Gaze on their innocence; their clear full eyes,
All fix'd on thine; and in their mother, mark
The lovliest look that woman's face can wear,
Her look of love, beholding them and thee;
Then at the altar of your household joys,
Vow one by one, vow all together, vow
With hear and voice, eternal enmity
Against oppression by your brethren's hands;
Till man nor woman under Britain's laws,
Nor son nor daughter, born within her empire,
Shall buy, or sell, or hold, or be a slave.

James Montgomery, Esq.

1:47, p. 188

1828.02.15