Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

PITY FOR THE POOR: AFRICANS

Ye, who for better things aspire,
And may be active in practice, lovers,
I own I can't afford at this traffic in slaves:
And fear those who buy 'em and sell 'em a knave.
What I hear of their hardships, their tortures, and groans,
Is almost enough to draw pity from stones.
I pity them greatly, but I must be mum,
For how could I do without sugar or rum?
Especially sugar, so needful we see;
What, give up our deserts, our coffee and tea?
Besides, if we do, the French, Dutch, and Danes
Will heartily thank us, no doubt, for our pains:
If we do not buy the poor creatures, they will,
And tortures and groans will be multiplied still.
If foreigners likewise would give up the trade,
Much more in behalf of your wish might be aid.
But while they get riches by purchasing blacks,
Pray tell me why we may not also go snacks.
Your scruples and arguments bring to my mind,
A story so pat, you may think it was coin'd
On purpose to answer you out of my mint;
But I can assure you I saw it in print.
A youngster at school, more sedate than the rest,
Had once his integrity put to the test;
His comrades had plotted an orchard to rob,
And ask'd him to go and assist in the job.
He was shock'd, sir, like you, and answer'd, "Oh no!
What! rob our good neighbor! I pray you don't go;
Besides the man's poor, and the orchard's his bread;
Then think of his children; for they must be fed."
"You talk very fine, and you look very grave,
But apples we want, and apples we'll have;
If you will go with us, we'll give you a share;
If not, you shall have neither apple nor pear."
The pease cod and Tom ponder'd, "If they will go,
Poor man! what a pity to injure him so!"
Poor man! I would save him his fruit if I could,
But staying behind them will do him no good.
If the matter depended alone upon me,
His apples might hang till they dropp'd from the tree.
But since they will have them, I think I'll go too,
He'll lose none by me, altho' I get a few."
His scruples thus silenc'd, Tom felt more at ease,
And went with his comrades his apples to seize;
He blam'd and protested, but join'd in the plan:
He shar'd in the plunder, but pitied the man.