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 stood alone, – oh sweet it is to wander
In such a night so calm in paths unknown
And watch the gurgling stream in soft meander
The spirit loves to feel itself alone –
And Austin stood alone – no sound
Was heard above, below, around
T’was calm & still, no bird of night
Mocked silence in its flight
Or breathed untutored notes.
And in those bright resplendant skies
The soft deep azure floats
Like the blue of seraphs eyes – !
He gazed a moment in [illegible] the air,
So pure, so still, ‘twould calm despair
And that Heavens soft bright radiance where
The round moon glides thro’ that deep blue
And now her gentle glory shrouds
Beneath a veil of watry clouds
Now straying thro’ Heavens azure deep