Analysis of The Slave's Complaint

George Moses Horton 1779 (North Carolina) – 1883



Am I sadly cast aside,
   On misfortune's rugged tide?
   Will the world my pains deride
         Forever?
   Must I dwell in Slavery's night,
   And all pleasure take its flight,
   Far beyond my feeble sight,
         Forever?
   Worst of all, must Hope grow dim,
  And withhold her cheering beam?
  Rather let me sleep and dream
        Forever!

Something still my heart surveys,
  Groping through this dreary maze;
  Is it Hope? -- then burn and blaze
        Forever!

Leave me not a wretch confined,
  Altogether lame and blind --
  Unto gross despair consigned,
        Forever!

Heaven! in whom can I confide?
  Canst thou not for all provide?
  Condescend to be my guide
        Forever:

And when this transient life shall end,
  Oh, may some kind eternal friend
  Bid me from servitude ascend,
        Forever!


Scheme aaaBcccBxddB eeeB fffB aaaB gggB
Poetic Form
Metre 1110101 11101 1011101 010 111011 0110111 1011101 010 1111111 0010101 1011101 010 1011101 1011101 1111101 010 1110101 010101 1010101 010 10011101 1111101 011111 010 01110111 11110101 1111001 010
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 807
Words 127
Sentences 13
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 12, 4, 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 28
Letters per line (avg) 20
Words per line (avg) 4
Letters per stanza (avg) 113
Words per stanza (avg) 25
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

38 sec read
149

George Moses Horton

George Moses Horton was an African-American poet and the first African American poet to be published in the Southern United States. His book was published in 1828 while he was still a slave; he remained a slave until he was emancipated late in the Civil War. more…

All George Moses Horton poems | George Moses Horton Books

0 fans

Discuss this George Moses Horton poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Slave's Complaint" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/15763/the-slave%27s-complaint>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    21
    hours
    42
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    To be, or not to be: that is the _______
    A choice
    B question
    C doubt
    D answer