Then raising her voice to a strain The sweetest, that ear ever heard, She sung of the slave's broken chain, Wherever her glory appear❜d. Some clouds, which had over us hung, Fled, chas'd by her melody clear, And methought while she liberty sung, "Twas liberty only to hear. Thus swiftly dividing the flood, To a slave-cultur'd island we came, Where a demon, her enemy, stoodOppression his terrible name.. In his hand, as the sign of his sway, A scourge hung with lashes he bore, And stood looking out for his prey From Africa's sorrowful shore. But soon as approaching the land, And the moment the monster expir'd, Heard shouts, that ascended the sky, From thousands with rapture inspir'd. Awaking, how could I but muse 1 At what such a dream should betide? But soon my ear caught the glad news, Which serv'd my weak thought for a guideThat Britannia, renown'd o'er the waves For the hatred she ever has shown To the black-sceptred rulers of slaves, Resolves to have none of her own. THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. A NIGHTINGALE, that all day long 286 THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. That you with music, I with light, And found a supper somewhere else. That brother should not war with brother, But sing and shine by sweet consent, Those Christians best deserve the name, ON A GOLDFINCH STARVED TO DEATH IN HIS CAGE. TIME 1. IME was when I was free as air, My drink the morning dew; II. But gaudy plumage, sprightly strain, And of a transient date; For caught, and cag'd, and starv'd to death, In dying sighs my little breath Soon pass'd the wiry grate. III. Thanks, gentle swain, for all my woes, And thanks for this effectual close And cure of ev'ry ill! More cruelty could none express; Had been your pris'ner still. |