THE NEGRO BOY. Sold for a Metal Watch, by an African Prince

When thirst of gold enslaves the mind, And selfish views alone bear sway, Man turns a savage to his kind, And blood and rapine mark his way: Alas! for this poor simple toy I sold a guiltless negro boy.

His father's hope, his mother's pride, Though black yet comely to the view: I tore him helpless from their side, And gave him to a ruffian crew: To fiends that Afric's coasts annoy, I sold the weeping negro boy.

In Isles that deck the western main, Th' unhappy youth was doom'd to dwell, A poor, folorn, insulted slave, A beast that christians buy and sell! And yet, for this same simple toy, I sold the weeping negro boy.

May he, who walks upon the wind, Whose voice in thunder's heard on high, Who doth the raging tempest bind, And wings the lightning thro' the sky, Forgive the wretch, who for a toy, Could sell a hapless negro boy.