Page:Memoir and poems of Phillis Wheatley, a native African and a slave.djvu/158

152 'Twas like the salutation of the dove, Borne on the zephyr through some lonesome grove, When Spring returns, and Winter's chill is past, And vegetation smiles above the blast.

'T was like the evening of a nuptial pair, When love pervades the hour of sad despair— 'Twas like fair Helen's sweet return to Troy, When every Grecian bosom swell'd with joy.

The silent harp which on the osiers hung, Was then attuned, and manumission sung; Away by hope the clouds of fear were driven, And music breathed my gratitude to Heaven.

Hard was the race to reach the distant goal, The needle oft was shaken from the pole; In such distress who could forbear to weep? Toss'd by the headlong billows of the deep!

The tantalizing beams which shone so plain, Which turned my former pleasures into pain— Which falsely promised all the joys of fame, Gave way, and to a more substantial flame.

Some philanthropic souls as from afar, With pity strove to break the slavish bar; To whom my floods of gratitude shall roll, And yield with pleasure to their soft control.

And sure of Providence this work begun—

He shod my feet this rugged race to run;