To Toussaint L'Ouverture

This poem is written about the leader of the Haitian Revolution, Toussaint L'Ouverture. The poet points out how unhappy L'Ouverture is. It doesn't matter whether in the rather pleasant position of being sung to by a woman or alone in a deep pit, he is miserable. The poet wants to know when L'Ouverture will develop patience, a skill he apparently thinks will help him with his unhappiness.

Knowing the history of L'Ouverture as a military genius who established the independent black state of Haiti, he must have been very driven. It's doubtful he liked to sit back and wait. It sounds more likely that he was the type to scheme and take action. The poet sees L'Ouverture's driving force as something that could use toning down through the acquiring of patience. However, by asking where and when L'Ouverture will do so, the poet seems to indicate his skepticism of its actual occurrence. Only a concrete place and time could give the poet any sort of confidence in L'Ouverture seeking patience as a virtue.

The poet changes his tone to more embracing of L'Ouverture in line 6. He bids him not to die, though it seems he already has, and to have a cheerful face. Now it becomes clear that the poet doesn't so much want L'Ouverture to acquire patience as to take a breath and take some credit for the good he has done.

Even after death, the poet wants him to live on peacefully in the afterlife. The poet assures L'Ouverture that what he has left behind will work in his favor: the earth, air, and skies. By naming natural things, the poet in a way indicates L'Ouverture has the approval of the Universe or even God. He assures L'Ouverture that he will not be forgotten, and that his friend - Man's unconquerable mind - lives on. It seems that L'Ouverture was a very free thinker if such news would be of comfort to him. He wanted men to stand up for what was moral by nature - things the earth, air, and skies would gladly aid - and not give into the domination of other men.