Slavery in the Poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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… more

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… more

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… more

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… more

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… more

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,… more

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… more

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… more

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… more

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… more