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 who feared him not
Who scorned the all that he could do –
And who, tho’ misery damped his lot,
Had heart as fearless and as true!
And tho’ he bore the name of slave
Had soul as lofty and as brave.
Yes, Austin was as brave, [illegible] for he
Had passions which could swell as far
As his, who struggled to be free,
But he had calmed the unequal war –
Then where was his last, fond hope driven
To flight? to death? oh no to Heaven!
To Heaven, for to the silent grave
Wife, Parents, friends he had consigned
And one loved son, so young & brave –