Page:Livingstone in Africa.djvu/54

32 So full equipp'd, with arduous effort arm'd, Living a temperate, reasonable life, I bear a stout heart in a season'd frame; And emulous of illustrious pioneers, Nor all unmindful of my sires austere, I find myself i' the heart of Africa, Helping the father of my bride to be.

My long life moves before me like a dream. Behold! our mission-house at Kolobeng: These labour-roughen'd hands have builded it. Nor for myself alone, but for the dark Children of whom I am the father here, I labour with strong hand, and heart, and soul. I smelt rude ores; and, fervid as large eyes Of wrathful tigers, ringing iron yields Upon mine anvil, hammer'd heartily; While a bow'd native plies the goatskin bellows. Lusty and hale, in manhood's vigorous prime, I startle the lone woods with stalwart blows; While cream-white splinters fly from stubborn trunks,