Page:William Wells Brown - The Escape Or, A Leap for Freedom; a Drama in Five Acts.pdf/56

 Massa gave me his ole coat, an' thought I'd happy be, But I had my eye on de North Star, an' thought of liberty; Ole massa lock de door, an' den he went to sleep, I dress myself in his bess clothes, an' jump into de street.

Chorus.—Dey work me all de day, Widout a bit of pay, So I took my flight, in the middle of de night, When de sun was gone away.

Sed I, dis chile's a freeman now, he'll be a slave no more; I travell'd faster all dat night, dan I ever did before. I came up to a farmer's house, jest at de break of day, And saw a white man standin' dar, sed he, "You are a runaway."

Chorus.—Dey work me all de day, &c.

I tole him I had left de whip, an' bayin' of de hound, To find a place where man is man, ef sich dar can be found; Dat I had heard, in Canada, dat all mankind are free, An' dat I was going dar in search of liberty.

Chorus.—Dey work me all de day, &c.

I've not committed any crime, why should I run away? Oh! shame upon your laws, dat drive me off to Canada. You loudly boast of liberty, an' say your State is free, But ef I tarry in your midst, will you protect me?

Chorus.—Dey work me all de day, &c.

[Exit,

Scene 4.—

and.

Mrs. Neal. Thee may put the tea to draw, Charlotte. Thy father will be in soon, and we must have breakfast.

Enter ,

I think, Simeon, it is time those people were called. Thee knows that they may be pursued, and we ought not to detain them long here.

Mr. Neal. Yes, Ruth, thou art right. Go, Charlotte, and knock on their chamber door, and tell them that breakfast is ready. [Exit ,

Mrs. N. Poor creatures! I hope they'll reach Canada in safety. They seem to be worthy persons.

Enter ,

Charlotte. I've called them, mother, and they'll soon be down. I'll put the breakfast on the table.