"The African," Page 5

Created by Emily Crider on Tue, 02/04/2025 - 10:38

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Description: 

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, unconquered, unconfined,
"I have been. . . . . . but I am a Slave –
"Yet free as mountain air in mind – !
"Toil, hunger, slavery, I have borne
"My gentle Affa, for thy sake –

Copyright: 

©

Associated Place(s)

Layers

Timeline of Events Associated with "The African," Page 5

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Writes "The African"

circa. 1816 to circa. 1822

It is estimated that Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote "The African," the first and longest of her poems about slavery, when she was in her early teens. The narrative poem, which remained unpublished until 2010, is based on an account shared with her by Richard Barrett, a family cousin and plantation owner in Jamaica. 

First page of "The African" manuscript.
First page of "The African" manuscript.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning Writes "The African"

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TimelineJS

Part of Group:

Undisciplining Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Featured in Exhibit: 

"The African" Manuscript (1820s)

Artist: 

  • Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Image Date: 

circa. 1820s