Here you will find the Poem Inscription under the Picture of an Aged Negro-woman of poet James Montgomery
Art thou a woman? -- so am I; and all That woman can be, I have been, or am; A daughter, sister, consort, mother, widow. Whiche'er of these thou art, O be the friend Of one who is what thou canst never be! Look on thyself, thy kindred, home, and country, Then fall upon thy knees, and cry "Thank GOD, An English woman cannot be a SLAVE!" Art thou a man? -- Oh! I have known, have loved, And lost, all that to woman man can be; A father, brother, husband, son, who shared My bliss in freedom, and my woe in bondage. -- A childless widow now, a friendless slave, What shall I ask of thee, since I have nought To lose but life's sad burden; nought to gain But heaven's repose? -- these are beyond thy power; Me thou canst neither wrong nor help; -- what then? Go to the bosom of thy family, Gather thy little children round thy knees, Gaze on their innocence; their clear, full eyes, All fix'd on thine; and in their mother, mark The loveliest look that woman's face can wear, Her look of love, beholding them and thee: Then, at the altar of your household joys, Vow one by one, vow altogether, vow With heart and voice, eternal enmity Against oppression by your brethern's hands: Till man nor woman under Britain's laws, Nor son nor daughter born within her empire, Shall buy, or sell, or hold, or be, a slave.