The Slave's Soliloquy

The Slave's Soliloquy

They say these stars do shine more bright

Than those of the Northern zone,

And these skies do glow with a warmer light

Than freedom's land doth own.

They tell me that where the bondmen flee

My brothers starve and die;

But oh! I would go where my kith are free,

And with them in their cold graves lie.

No greater boon than this I crave,

For this my spirit yearns;

The spirit of freedom, though but a slave,

Within my bosom burns.

And in this hut so dark and drear,

Gazing out upon the sky.

I swear for freedom's shore I'll steer,

And free myself or die.

No more the white man's whip shall scar

This body bruised and sore;

I'll steer my bark by the bright north star,

And sail for freedom's shore.

BALTIMORE, June 3, 1860.

John L.

1:52, p. 1

7.14.1860