Introduction

Mankind has many marks upon its name, many tragedies of its own making. The subjugating of other people, which still continues to this day, is perhaps its greatest stain. Men, women and children who are bought, sold, used and abused for the profit or enjoyment of others cast shadows upon us all. In this collection poets of the calibre of Browning, Longfellow, Southey and Melville explore our relationship with this shaming, highlighting the successes and more probable failures of our fallible race.