Page:The African Slave Trade (Clark).djvu/72

  W have a goodly clime, Broad vales and streams we boast, Our mountain frontiers frown sublime, Old Ocean guards our coast; Suns bless our harvest fair, With fervid smile serene, But a dark shade is gathering there! — What can its blackness mean?

We have a birthright proud, For our young sons to claim, An eagle soaring o'er the cloud, In freedom and in fame; We have a scutcheon bright, By our dear fathers bought, — A fearful blot distains its white, Who hath such evil wrought?

Our banner o'er the sea Looks forth with starry eye, Emblazoned, glorious, bold, and free, A letter on the sky. What hand, with shameful stain, Hath marred its heavenly blue ? The yoke! the fetters! and the chain ! Say, are these emblems true ?

This day doth music rare Swell through our nation's bound, But Afric's wailing mingles there, And Heaven doth hear the sound! O God of power! we turn In penitence to thee; Bid our loved land the lesson learn, — To bid the slave be free.Mrs. L. H. Sigourney.