Exhibit:

"The African" Manuscript (1820s)

Preview of images

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's original manuscript of "The African" was completed in the early 1820s when EBB was in her early teens. Inspiration for the narrative poem came from her cousin, Richard Barrett, who owned sugar plantations in Jamaica. EBB kept Barrett's written account of an escaped slave, originally named Copperbottom, but altered the tone of the story significantly in her version.

Material sourced from Baylor's Armstrong Browning Library.

Images in this Exhibit

"The African," Page 1

Page 1 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription: 
The African
A Poem in two Cantos

Canto the first
Cold shone the moon on distant mountains,
With her mazy beams of light.
Alone the bubbling flow of fountains,
Broke the sweet calm of night.
No more the favoring breeze,
Sweeps the pelucid seas,
Jamaica, loveliest Isle!
No more, thy fervid suns benignant ray.
Sheds his ambrosial day,
Or glads thee with his smile.
For now celestial...
"The African," Page 2

Page 2 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
What forms beneath yon palm recline?
But, not enjoying gentle sleep,
With downcast eyes upon the deep,
They seem thus lonely, converse seeking.
One was a chief of might divine,
Of aspect dread, and eye ball speaking –
Which burns as if ‘twere made to flash
Amidst his country’s foes, and fire
Lost Afric’s soul, which might aspire
To burst her tyrants’ chain asunder,
And rising from her heaps of dead,
With freedoms strength...
"The African," Page 3

Page 3 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
One which would brook no tyranny,
One which had scorned the monarch’s might,
One which boldly would be free,
Tho’ thousands perished in the fight.
Where’s the descendant of their line,
Where Orenzebe son of kings?
Dwells he in tents where freedom springs,
Renowned for strength & might divine,
Are his brows adorned by fame,
Or circled by the diadem?
Breathes he on his native coast,
Amidst the glorious and the brave,...
"The African," Page 4

Page 4 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Oh no! he is not quite alone,
For there is one who, at his side,
Young, in the glow of beauty’s pride,
Stills the low convulsive groan,
The falling tear, the deep drawn sigh,
And inward throb of agony!
As the pure watr’y moon beams, thro’ broken clouds gleaming
Gild the lowering sky, with her soft ray of light
So Affa’s mild Eye, in [illegible] veiled radiance beaming,
Glads the soul of that Chief, with the throb of delight
...
"The African," Page 5

Page 5 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
And anxious strove but to delay
Those fatal words, she knew were near –

"Affa thou hast shared my lot, –
"My lofty rank, my slavish toil –
"But Affa yet thou know’st me not,
"(Nay check that unbelieving smile)
"Thou know’st me not! my thoughts have been
"Unshared, unsolaced, and unseen!
"Yes! I have drunk my cup of woe –
"But what it was, no matter now. . . . . .
"I have been famed amongst the brave,
"Revered,...
"The African," Page 6

Page 6 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
[blank page]
"The African," Page 7

Page 7 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
"My wages were contempt, and scorn
"And then . . . . a blow!—am I awake?
"A blow! and doth the tyrant live! – – . .
"Nay, Affa thou may’st well forgive
"The transport of thy Brother’s breast
"When e’en thy softer feelings rise,
"With shame which will not be supprest,
"And kindle in those lucid eyes:
"Thyself art one of Afric’s daughters
"Thou know’st her griefs, her wrongs, her slaughters,
"Thou’st seen her suffer, heard her...
"The African," Page 8

Page 8 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Around his form her soft arms throwing,
And clinging to that loved embrace,
She hid, in desperate grief, her face
Upon the breast, those woes bestowing –
Till o’er her soul, subdued by sorrow,
A gleam of Hopes gay sunshine flew,
Such as benignant Angels borrow
To deck the clouds of dunnest hue.
Irresolutely, timidly,
She raised to his that speaking eye
If there be hope – [illegible yet] perchance there may –
He is not...
"The African," Page 9

Page 9 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
But ah! there is no way to save,
No pitying tear to thee is given,
No pure inhabitant of Heaven
Will bless thee with a grave!
Where are thy Gods? and do they now
Desert thee in the hour of need
To whom thy knees were wont to bow
For whom thy savage Fathers bled!
Where is their glory’s light?
Their brilliant fame! their haughty sway –
The honors of their little day,
Where is their might?
[Idols of wood of stone of...
"The African," Page 10

Page 10 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Still thy soul His anger braveth
Still unatoned thy failings lie
Thou know’st not yet the Lord who saveth
Who only makes it sweet to die!
Thou know’st Him not – thy days have flown
To that eternal One unknown,
Oh trust in Him, & He will save
For He is love, and will bestow
A solace for the peircing woe
And bless thy peaceful grave!
On earth was Affa’s sad form cast –
While o’er her brow the cold night blast
In...
"The African," Page 11

Page 11 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
That haughty soul which dared to sigh
For life? – Ah no – for liberty!

Night fades in silent gloom away
And rising o’er those dark blue seas
Swept lightly by the gentle breeze
Shines the young orb of day.
And the pure depths of air, are tinged with mildest grey –
Still still upon the pitying shore
Doth Afric’s daughter sleep,
But that rude Chief is there no more
Who only slavery feared –
And rustling midst the forest’s...
"The African," Page 12

Page 12 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Above the rolling deep
With its wild numbers breaks
The sleep of misery!
Slowly from those opening eyes
Unclosed the lovely lid. . .
As clouds pass from th’ ethereal skies
Which that soft azure hid!
And in a tremulous voice, & low –
One faint convulsive plaintive groan –
Her lips breathed. . . "Brother." Stifled woe
Trembled in that bursting tone! –
She passed her hand on her throbbing brow,
'Twas cold, as the...
"The African," Page 13

Page 13 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Unutterable things it spoke . .
It told that Affa’s heart was broke!

Canto second
Years passed – the light swift foot of time
Swiftly o’er that green isle fled,
And his severe tyrannic tread
O’er joys and sorrows passed sublime. .
But there are sorrows, and have been –
There is a pang of wretchedness
Which Time’s self cannot make serene
Nor bid its agony be less!
Time passed, and still those soft lights charm
The...
"The African," Page 14

Page 14 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
The pure drops from that large black eye
Pace down the sad cold cheek, she knows not why.
But where’s the unrelenting Chief
Who rent that heart with agony –
Who deadened eyes like those with grief
And snapt her joys. . . oh where is he?

He’s gone – but the herald trump of fame
Tell’s Orenzebe’s name
He’s gone, but the sombre forests yet
Rustle to his echoing feet.
[Illegible line]
[Illegible line]
[Illegible line...
"The African," Page 15

Page 15 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
And muse on vengeance which should last!
And oft across the scowling brow
As torturing in thought his foe
A with’ring smile of hatred passed –
As the quick light’ning dashes
From the black mist that bound it,
So that bitter smile flashed
From the dread darkness round it.

Thus fled his savage days, but when
The pale round moon shines mildly thro’
The wat’ry cloud, or midst the blue
Of Heaven beguiles the still night,...
"The African," Page 16

Page 16 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
[2] The experienced sage, the youthful brave
The planter, and the suppliant slave
All all his hatred fear.
The watchman in his midnight round
Stops trembling to each passing sound
Lest he be near.

[1] And now the strong light fades away
Like the last ray of day
As the twinkling of a star
The lessening flame is seen afar
Why pauses he, what is’t he fears?
The torch gleams here, and disappears.

But there was one...
"The African," Page 17

Page 17 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
His dearest, brightest joy – then where
Where in this vale of darkness, find
The calm enjoyment of the mind,
And comforts healing smile, but there –
Where peace sleeps in the soft, light blue –
And faith may see, Heav’ns own joys [through] thro –

And Austin gently from his cottage door
Unloosed the latch, and passed the simple gate
And in that lovely night, with heart elate
In which impetuous passions raged no more –
He...
"The African," Page 18

Page 18 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Reflected on the seas below
Her pure beams mildly flow
Upon the young waves as they sleep
And how unmoved could Austin view,
In such a night, that lovely scene,
He felt his heart was peaceful too
In that mute quiet more serene!
And prostrate on the fragrant sod
With hands upraised to that pure Heav’n
By whom such [Heavenly] lovely peace was given,
He breathed a fervent prayer to God,
With earthward face, – he could not...
"The African," Page 19

Page 19 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
But no! he came – that form drew near
It was not such as he could fear!
The watchman of the vale was he,
The staff was in his aged hand
And, flashing from his hollow eye,
No youthful fire of glory started –
But the faint glance fell heavily
As if life’s spirit had departed.

"Thou comes’t Davie, whence & where
"The hours untimely, thus to stray –
"Say. . . . . What, thou dost not surely fear
"Secluded in...
"The African," Page 20

Page 20 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
"And oh! that frown, itself a storm
"Still scowls upon me terribly!" . . .

"Whose frown, what foolery is this?"

"Yes, hear me Austin, it was his,
"The terror of the forests, he
"Who burst his bonds, and to be free
"Rushed to the woods, – the voice of fame
"Has told [you] thee Orenzebe’s name" ––

"What! Orenzebe! 'tis not now
"The hour, old man, to bend [your] thy brow.
"In fear – time passes – let [your] thy tale
"...
"The African," Page 21

Page 21 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
"I knelt. . . . . . . . and. . . . and. . . &, at his feet —
"Nay Austin frown not so in scorn –
"'Twas dreadful thus alone to die
"Unhoused, deserted, & forlorn
"And not for life, even once t’ entreat! . . .
"He spurned me – – Austin still I hear
"Those accents thundering in my ear,
"And still that withering smile I see
"Which o’er those savage features passed
"As that dread voice, fell sneeringly.
"Father, not now...
"The African," Page 22

Page 22 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Towards that Heav’n of love he glanced
That sky of happiness and rest
With reverence, faith, & hope, refined
By patient grief, and modest grace
At once fired, fortified, resigned –
And Heav’n reflected on his face
Beams mildly from his large dark eye
Which trembles yet in ecstasy.

"Old man, thou shalt not, oh no, no!
"Thou shalt not die, I – I will go!
"Myself his supper will prepare
"Myself the savage Chief will...
"The African," Page 23

Page 23 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
"Should all that kindness be forgot
"And vanish like the morn of day?
"Old man, Heaven, – Nature answers nay!
"My hope, my strength. . . . ."
"Oh tell me where—"

‘My strength, the Christians strength, is there?"
He raised his hand to that pure Heaven,
And from his fired enraptured eye
The radiant smile of piety
Beamed like the last fond ray of even.

He wrung the old man’s hand, and flushed
With glorious ardor, midst...
"The African," Page 24

Page 24 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
Yes Austin thou has met thy foe –
As that wild, warlike din may shew –
Of muttered threats, and weapons crashing
Shout on shout, & blow on blow
Thy whole soul from that dark eye flashing – !
And Orenzebe might withstand
The glorious vigor of thy hand,
But ’tis not to that proud clay given
To strive with one, who trusts in Heaven!
But braving yet his generous foe,
His strong arm thundered blow on blow –
Scorning life...
"The African," Page 25

Page 25 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
But oh! what quick, light timid step
O’er the green sod is heard,
And rushing thro the plantains deep
A female form appeared:
And as in haste she passes by
Phrenzy glares wildly from her eye –
Oh Affa, Affa! it is thou
Sweet child of wretchedness!
And art thou come to see him now
Who gave thy heart to such distress –
To tears, – to madness – to despair?
Go see him Affa! he is. . . . there!

She sat beside his cold...
"The African," Page 26

Page 26 of EBB's manuscript of "The African."
Accession #: EBB MSS, D0015.1

Transcription:
No more – they could not feel such misery. . . . . . . .
And she is here – and that cold thing is he – !
And fast, and faster from her throat,
The sob convulsive heaves –
And loud, and louder it bereaves
Almost the swelling heart of breath —— !
Oh would that that responsive note
Would calm those agonies in death —— !
And in that sob, her feelings speak
Till anguish – grief – their vengeful strife —
Despair’s pang – misery –...