Respectfully Inscrib’d to the Members of the African Institution

Again the rapid flight of time brings round

The sacred hour to virtue justly dear:

My muse! commemorate, with joyful sound,

An hour which unborn ages shall revere.

E’en that glad hour which wip’d the bitter tear

From Afric's cheek, and cast her chains away:

Freedom, humanity, and justice, hear!

To you I dedicate this votive lay,

And consecrate to you this ever glorious day.

All hail, ye heavenly band! your holy fire

Inflam’d with virtuous ardour CLARKSON's breast;

Awoke that zeal which labour ne’er could tire,

Danger affright, nor av’rice lull to rest.

He saw poor Afric's sable sons opprest;

Saw them, transported from their native shore,

Meet stern-eyed death in all his horrors drest,

Or life more horrible than death deplore.

Such were the scenes he saw—scenes we behold no more.

CLARKSON! and WILBERFORCE! thrice honour’d names!

Ye shine conspicuous ‘mid that chosen band,

Whose steady zeal a nation's reverence claims,

Whose generous labours have redeem’d the land.

And could a humble poet's trembling hand

Present to merit half the tribute due,

Thy name, illustrious Gloster! forth should stand

Amid the bold disinterested few,

Who prejudice defied, and spurn’d her venal crew.

Among the hosts who hail with just applause

This joyful hour, my partial eyes survey

A sect, whose ardent zeal in virtue's cause,

Prompts me the tribute of respect to pay.

Ye Friends of Peace! to you this glorious day

Is doubly sanctified, is doubly dear;

On Afric's shores no more shall martial fray

Infringe that sacred law your souls revere;

But strife and war shall cease, and happier days appear.