The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-10-05
THE NEGRO.
Translated from the French qf L. M
Foniuine.
BY J. G. MARVIN.

BY J. u. MARVIN.
"Toil on, slavep He paused for mo.
ment TO rest his weary limbs, enfeebed by
the heat Of a summers sun but soon the
club was raised the unfortunate negro falls
the blows are redoubed, and the blood flows
His companion was near him, holding an
infant in her arms. The child wept, when
it saw its father beaten but the molber said
nothing, for she was accustomed to such
scenes. The master departed but the
slave, turning his eyes towards the sea
shore, meditales, and awaits the coming
evening. Evening came. He did not re.
| turn TO his home, but escaping secretly, as
cended an elevated rock that overhung the
sea. he sat down upon it in silence. Ii
was not yet dark The beautiful sky of Mar
| Unique was studded with stars the noise
! Of the waves, as they beat upon the shore
| alone troubled the repose OF The island. In
the distance was seen the unfurled sails oil
| a vessel, and one nj ght hear the swift prov
as il furrowed the bosom of the ocean. Up.
on this, the slave thus sung melancholy
dirge:
"Soon will throw off the letters that
bind my hands, and seek my liberty in the
deep blue sea-"
Continue on thy route, o, vessel, and
| glide over the vast ocean! Thou art thus iar
favored by a protecting hand but the wind
may change, lhe storms may gathered, and
threaten thee with shipwreck. Alas if thou
earliest Europeans, you may encounter dan
gers that will dash thee TO pieces; and lei
the sailors be swallowed up with thee ia
! the deep! We shall then be alike !"
because soon will throw off the letters
that bind my hands, and seek my freedom
in the depths Of the sea Pleasing and
melancholy ideas are rapidly presented to
my Imagination! Perchance thou hast on
board some of my unfortunate race2 Are
! there not some poor Africans shut up in thy
confined hold, as myself have been, with
heavy chains Of iron2 Would that could
rock! Would that could salute them with
friendly hand and compassionate look
These are my lriends-my counlrymen-
and may the waves spare them and may
they yet regain, by some good fortune, the
happy country from which they are exied
May they yet be free AS for me, soon
will free my hands from The chains which
bind them and seek for liberty in the deep
blue sea !"
81 was taken from my home-the sacred
ooJeCt Vi my loVe-Wnlle yet youth.
well remember that my father mother, and
sisters were all murdered before my ewes,
and that their blood gushed upon me i
yet remember. when the murderous hands of
the assassins were extended over the palpit-
atlng bodies of my kindred, that | swore
eternal hatred to the Europeans. resolved
to exterminate the murderers of nv family,
and cannot think of dying till have per-
formed my oath! However, the hour has
come p
II shall soon cast off the chains that bind
my hands, and obtain my liberty in the bo-
som of the seal"
"Adeu 10 every thing that hold most
dear upon earth farewell TO you, faithful
companion farewell my child, whom sor
row and calamities prevent me from caress-
ing; who will, at some future time, come
like my parent, TO sit upou this calamatous
rock, and precipitate yourselves into the
waves! Poor orphan if heaven has will
ed such TO be thy lot, may you also say in
dying,
81 now will free my hands from the
chains of slavery. and obtain my freedom
II the deep blue sea 7"