September 1, 1802
September 1, 1802 - context Summary
Travel from Calais
Written in 1802 after a journey from Calais, the poem records Wordsworth’s encounter with a Black female passenger. It sketches her dignified appearance and silent suffering, contrasting visible grace with social exclusion. The poet’s compassionate response culminates in an appeal to Heaven and Earth to show kindness to "this afflicted Race," framing the scene as both a personal memory and a moral prompt about racial empathy.
Read Complete AnalysesWE had a female Passenger who came From Calais with us, spotless in array,-- A white-robed Negro, like a lady gay, Yet downcast as a woman fearing blame; Meek, destitute, as seemed, of hope or aim She sate, from notice turning not away, But on all proffered intercourse did lay 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!
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