Page:Poems Mitford.djvu/68

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54
And on that spot, then first by Christian trod,
Pour'd forth thanksgiving to the living God.
Proud was that day! But lengthen'd labors rose;
By sickness weaken'd, and begirt with foes,
Reluctantly he turn'd; and pass'd again
The dreary wilderness, the fiery plain;
Through barb'rous tribes and warring nations tost,
Till health and strength, and all but hope, was lost,
When negro friendship bore him to the strand,
And science hail'd him to his native land.

Then was his hour of bliss! success had crown'd
The daring youth, and spread his fame around;
And pity's sigh, and admiration's smile
Flush'd his pale cheek, and sweeten'd every toil.
Then high-born beauty join'd th' applauding throng,
And added grace to nature's sweetest song,
Whilst in the "white man's woe, the negro's care,"
The gentler sex a double triumph share.