COVE

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 –