The Hottentot

Thomas Pringle 1789 (Blakelaw) – 1834



Mild, melancholy, and sedate, he stands,
Tending another's flock upon the fields,
His father's once, where now the White Man builds
His home, and issues forth his proud commands.
His dark eye flashes not; his listless hands
Lean on the shepherd's staff; no more he wields
The Libyan bow -- but to th' oppressor yields
Submissively his freedom and his lands.
Has he no courage? Once he had -- but, lo!
Harsh Servitude hath worn him to the bone.
No enterprise? Alas! the brand, the blow,
Have humbled him to dust -- even hope is gone!
"He's a base-hearted hound -- not worth his food" --
His Master cries -- "he has no gratitude!"

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

36 sec read
17

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCAABBADEDFGG
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 629
Words 117
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

Thomas Pringle

Thomas Pringle was a Scottish writer, poet and abolitionist. Known as the father of South African poetry, he was the first successful English language poet and author to describe South Africa's scenery, native peoples, and living conditions. more…

All Thomas Pringle poems | Thomas Pringle Books

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