Page:The black man - his antecedents, his genius, and his achievements (IA blackmanantecede00browrich).pdf/98

 All power is thine: 'twas thy creative might This goodly frame of things from chaos brought, Which unsustained by thee would still be nought, As erst it lay deep in the womb of night, Ere thy dread word first called it into light; Obedient to thy call, it lived, and moved, and thought.

Thou know'st my heart, O God, supremely wise; Thine eye, all-seeing, cannot be deceived; By thee mine inmost soul is clear perceived, As objects gross are through transparent skies By mortal ken. Thy mercy exercise, Lest slander foul exult o'er innocence aggrieved.

But if 'tis fixed, by thy decree divine, That I must bear the pain of guilt and shame, And that my foes this cold and senseless frame Shall rudely treat with scorn and shouts malign, Give thou the word, and I my breath resign, Obedient to thy will. Blest be thy holy name!"

When all preparation for the execution had been finished, Placido asked the privilege of giving the signal, and it was granted. With his face wearing an expression of almost superhuman courage, he said in Spanish, "Adieu, O world; there is no justice or pity for me here. Soldiers, fire!" Five balls entered his body, but did not deprive him of life. Still unsubdued, he again spoke, and placing his hand on his breast, said, "Fire here." Two balls from the reserve entered his heart, and he fell dead.

Thus died Placido, the slave's poet of freedom. His songs are still sung in the bondman's hut, and his name is a household word to all. As the Marseillaise was sung by the revolutionists of France, and inspired the people with a hatred to oppressors, so will the slaves of Cuba, at a future day, sing the songs of their poet-martyr, and their cry will be, "Placido and Liberty."