TO THOMAS CLARKSON, ON THE FINAL PASSING OF THE BILL FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE TRADE, MARCH, 1807
Reading edition
Composed 1807.—Published 1807
One of the "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."—Ed.
Clarkson! it was an obstinate hill to climb: How toilsome—nay, how dire—it was, by thee Is known; by none, perhaps, so feelingly: But thou, who, starting in thy fervent prime, Didst first lead forth that enterprise[1] sublime, 5 Hast heard the constant Voice its charge repeat, Which, out of thy young heart's oracular seat, First roused thee.—O true yoke-fellow of Time, Duty's intrepid liegeman, see,[2] the palm Is won, and by all Nations shall be worn! 10 The blood-stained Writing is for ever torn; And thou henceforth wilt have[3] a good man's calm, A great man's happiness; thy zeal shall find Repose at length, firm friend of human kind!
On the 25th of March 1807, the Royal assent was given to the Bill for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The movement for its abolition was begun by Wilberforce, and carried on by Clarkson. Its abolition was voted by the House of Lords on the motion of Lord Grenville, and by the Commons on the motion of Charles James Fox, on the 10th of June 1806. The bill was read a second time in the Lords on the 5th of February, and became law on the 25th of March 1807.
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