On Afric’s wide Plains, where the Lion now roaring,
With Freedom stalks forth, the vast Desert exploring,
I was dragg’d from my Hut, and enchain’d as a Slave,
In a dark floating Dungeon, upon the salt Wave.
Spare a Halfpenny, spare a Halfpenny,
O spare a Halfpenny, to a poor Negro!

Toss’d on the rude Main, I all wildly despairing,
Burst my Chains, rush’d on Deck, with mine Eyeballs wide glaring,
When the Lightning’s dread Blast struck the Inlets of Day,
And its glorious bright Beams shut for ever away.
Spare a Halfpenny, &c.

The Despoiler of Man, then, his Prospect thus losing,
Of Gain by my Sale, not a blind Bargain choosing,
As my Value, compar’d with my Keeping, was light,
Had me dash’d overboard, in the Dead of the Night.
Spare a Halfpenny, &c.

And but for a Bark, to Britannia’s Coast bound then,
All my Cares by that Plunge in the Deep had been drown’d then;
But by Moonlight descry’d, I was snatch’d from the wave,
And reluctantly robb’d of a watery Grave.
Spare a Halfpenny, &c.

How disastrous my Fate, Freedom’s Ground though I tread now,
Torn from Home, Wife, and Children, and wand’ring for Bread now;
While Seas roll between us, which ne’er can be cross’d,
And Hope’s distant Glimm’rings in Darkness are lost.
Spare a Halfpenny, &c.

But of Deeds fair and foul, when the Judge and the Ponderer,
Shall restore Light and Rest to the Blind and the Wanderer,
May the poor Sable Flock, here by Christians outcast,
Find a peaceful long Home their sweet Refuge at last.
Spare a Halfpenny, &c.