Why dost thou beat thy breast and rend thine hair, <br /> And to the deaf sea pour thy frantic cries? <br /> Before the gale the laden vessel flies; <br />The Heavens all-favoring smile, the breeze is fair; <br />Hark to the clamors of the exulting crew! <br /> Hark how their thunders mock the patient skies! <br /> Why dost thou shriek and strain thy red-swoln eyes <br />As the white sail dim lessens from thy view? <br />Go pine in want and anguish and despair, <br /> There is no mercy found in human-kind-- <br />Go Widow to thy grave and rest thee there! <br /> But may the God of Justice bid the wind <br />Whelm that curst bark beneath the mountain wave, <br />And bless with Liberty and Death the Slave!<br /><br />Robert Southey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/poems-on-the-slave-trade-sonnet-ii/
