When I attended Mass today <br />A coloured maid sat down by me, <br />And as I watched her kneel and pray, <br />Her reverence was good to see. <br />For whether there may be or no' <br />A merciful and mighty God, <br />The love for Him is like a glow <br />That glorifies the meanest clod. <br /> <br />And then a starched and snotty dame <br />Who sat the other side of me <br />Said: "Monsieur, is it not a shame <br />Such things should be allowed to be? <br />In my homeland, I'm proud to say, <br />We know to handle niggers right, <br />And wouldn't let a black wench pray <br />And worship God beside a white." <br /> <br />Her tone so tart bewilderd me, <br />For I am just a simple man. <br />A friend in every one I see, <br />Though yellow, brown or black and tan. <br />For I would father children five <br />With any comely coloured maid, <br />And lush with any man alive, <br />Of any race, of any shade. <br /> <br />Religion may be false or true, <br />The Churches may be wrong or right, <br />But if there be the Faith in you <br />It can be like a shining light. <br />And though I lack not piety <br />And pray my best, I'm sure that God <br />To that black wench and not to me <br />Would give his most approving nod. <br /> <br />Aye, you may scrub him day and night, <br />You'll never change a nigger's hide; <br />But maybe he is just as white, <br />(Or even more) than you...inside.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/negress-in-notre-dame/
