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 wretchedness!
And art thou come to see him now
Who gave thy heart to such distress –
To tears, – to madness – to despair?
Go see him Affa! he is. . . . there!
She sat beside his cold, cold clay –
And near his silent corse she lingers –
Now views the wat’ry moon, and now,
Turning from her light away,
She passed her fairy fingers
O’er his still, & motionless brow – !
And it was cold, & with a start
Convulsive, from the icy touch
She backward drew – its chill was such
It struck a pang to that lone heart – !
The young moon from her azure sphere
Gently cast her pearly light
On his cold corse, once so dear
And ope’d his features to her sight. – !
She saw,– she knew – she felt it all –
The wild wild laugh, the unnatural gladness
Was spared her now – and that dread madness
The phrenzied working of her brain appals