Page:Memoir and poems of Phillis Wheatley, a native African and a slave.djvu/127

Rh down by others; and his reading, which is done at night, and at the usual intervals allowed to slaves, has been much employed on poetry, such as he could procure, this being the species of composition most interesting to him. It is thought best to print his productions without correction, that the mind of the reader may be in no uncertainty as to the originality and genuineness of every part. We shall conclude this account of George, with an assurance that he has ever been a faithful, honest and industrious slave. That his heart has felt deeply and sensitively in this lowest possible condition of human nature, will easily be believed, and is impressively confirmed by one of his stanzas.

Come, melting Pity, from afar,

And break this vast enormous bar,

Between a wretch and thee;

Purchase a few short days of time,

And bid a vassal soar sublime,

On wings of Liberty.

Raleigh, July 2, 1829. 11