Page:The White Slave, or Memoirs of a Fugitive.djvu/356

  From every side they came ; Each mountain, valley, plain, and grove, Haste eagerly to show their love; Right welcome was the dame.

Virginia’s shouts were heard aloud, Gay Carolina sent a crowd, Grave Georgia not a few ; No rabble rout. I heard it said Some great ones joined the cavalcade ; The muse will not say who.

Gay goddess of the sable band, Propitious still this grateful land With thy sweet presence bless : Here fix secure thy constant throne ; We all adore, and thee alone, The queen of love confess.

For me, if I no longer pay Allegiance to thy sister’s sway, It act no fickle part: It were ingratitude to slight Superior kindness. I delight To feel a grateful heart.

Then, playful goddess, cease to change, Nor in new beauties vainly range ; For whatsoe’er thy hue, Try every form thou canst put on, I'll follow thee through every one ; So stanch I am, so true.

Do thou in gentle Phibia smile, In artful. Beneba beguile, In wanton Mimba pout, In sprightly Cuba’s eyes look gay, Or grave in sober Quashaba, I still should find thee out.

“There,” said he, repeating the last stanza, and giving to it all the benefit of a very graceful