You hold the truth of man's equality,
     The none to be oppressive have a right;
Then how can you so inconsistent be,
     As to enslave because you have the might?

If all are equal, and it none have right
     To be unjust or cause another pain,
How then can you God's laws eternal blight,
     And round the negro throw vile Slavery's chain?

Is not the negro human?  Is his heart
     Incapable of love, his mind of thought?
Do you not fear instruction to impart
     To him?  Or cannot he be taught?

You know you also know that Slavery,
     In which you hold three millions of your kind,
Has, of necessity, invariably,
     A tendency to brutalize the mind.

The noblest creatures exercise their power
     To bless the wretched and support the weak;
But you upon the weak and wretched lower;
     The "bruised reed" you scruple not to break.

How will you answer at the bar of God,
     For having made a fellow-man a slave?
Can you endure the terrors of his rod,
     His deep, determined anger can you brave?

Arise! to captive myriads freedom speak!
     Gladden the spirit of each abject slave!
Nought is more fiendlike than to oppress the weak,
     Nor aught more Godlike than to bless and save.