06.09.2021 Views

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

BECOMING AMERICA<br />

REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE<br />

Then, said the mournful mother,<br />

If Ohio cannot save,<br />

I will do a deed for freedom.<br />

She shall nd each child a grave.<br />

I will save my precious children<br />

From their darkly threatened doom,<br />

I will hew their path <strong>to</strong> freedom<br />

Through the portals <strong>of</strong> the <strong>to</strong>mb.<br />

A moment in the sunlight,<br />

She held a glimmering knife,<br />

The next moment she had bathed it<br />

In the crimson fount <strong>of</strong> life.<br />

They snatched away the fatal knife,<br />

Her boys shrieked wild with dread;<br />

The baby girl was pale and cold.<br />

They raised it up, the child was dead.<br />

Sends this deed <strong>of</strong> fearful daring<br />

Through my country’s heart no thrill,<br />

Do the icy hands <strong>of</strong> slavery<br />

Every pure emotion chill?<br />

Oh! if there is any honor.<br />

Truth or justice in the land.<br />

Will ye not, as men and Christians,<br />

On the side <strong>of</strong> freedom stand?<br />

4.25.2 “Ethiopia”<br />

(1854)<br />

Yes! Ethiopia yet shall stretch<br />

Her bleeding hands abroad;<br />

Her cry <strong>of</strong> agony shall reach<br />

The burning throne <strong>of</strong> God,<br />

The tyrant’s yoke <strong>from</strong> o her neck,<br />

His fetters <strong>from</strong> her soul,<br />

The mighty hand <strong>of</strong> God shall break,<br />

<strong>An</strong>d spurn the base control.<br />

Page | 1479

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!