Composed September 1, 1802.--Published 1807 [A]
Among the capricious acts of Tyranny that disgraced these times, was the chasing of all Negroes from France by decree of the Government: we had a Fellow-passenger who was one of the expelled.--W. W. 1827.
We had a female Passenger who came [1]
From Calais with us, spotless [2] in array,
A white-robed Negro, [3] like a lady gay,
Yet downcast [4] as a woman fearing blame;
Meek, destitute, as seemed, of hope or aim [5]
She sate, from notice turning not away,
But on all proffered intercourse did lay [6]
A weight of languid speech, or to the same
No sign of answer made by word or face:
Yet still her eyes retained their tropic fire,
That, burning independent of the mind,
Joined with the lustre of her rich attire
To mock the Outcast--O ye Heavens, be kind!
And feel, thou Earth, for this afflicted Race![7]
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VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:1845.
We had a fellow-passenger that came 1803.
... who ... 1807.
Driven from the soil of France, a Female came 1827.
The edition of 1838 returns to the text of 1807, but the edition of 1840 reverts to that of 1827.]
[Variant 2:1845.
... gaudy ... 1803.
... brilliant ... 1827.]
[Variant 3:1845.
A negro woman, ... 1803.]
[Variant 4:1827.
Yet silent ... 1803.]
[Variant 5:1827.
Dejected, downcast, meek, and more than tame: 1803.
Dejected, meek, yea pitiably tame, 1807.]
[Variant 6:1827.
But on our proffer'd kindness still did lay 1803.]
[Variant 7:1845.
... or at the same
Was silent, motionless in eyes and face.
She was a negro woman, out of France,
Rejected, like all others of that race:
Not one of whom may now find footing there.
What is the meaning of this ordinance?
Dishonour'd Despots, tell us if ye dare. 1803.
... driv'n from France,
Rejected like all others of that race,
Not one of whom may now find footing there;
This the poor Out-cast did to us declare,
Nor murmur'd at the unfeeling Ordinance. 1807.
Meanwhile those eyes retained their tropic fire,
Which, burning independent of the mind,
Joined with the lustre of her rich attire
To mock the outcast--O ye Heavens, be kind!
And feel, thou Earth, for this afflicted Race! 1827.
Yet still those eyes retained their tropic fire, 1837.]
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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: First printed in 'The Morning Post', February 11, 1803,under the title of 'The Banished Negroes', and signed W. L. D.--Ed.]
It was a natural arrangement which led Wordsworth to place this sonnet,in his edition of 1807, immediately after the one addressed 'To Toussaint L'Ouverture'.--Ed.
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THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - VOL. 2 (Completed)
ClassicsThe poetical works of William Wordsworth, edited by William Knight.
