LINES
On receiving an unexpected Present.
I place thee here, but have no name
As yet, by which to ca’ thee;
Yet thou’rt so high in my esteem,
Should ony wrang befa’ thee,
I would be truly vex’d indeed,
But hope we ne’er shall sever;
No,—tho’ I were in greatest need,
Sweet welcome little favour.
A name for thee shall be propos’d,
Of still more precious meaning,
Than that of which thou art compos’d,
Though gold and ruby shining.
Thy value shall not be impaired,
For truth shall here define thee;
’Twas generous Pity,—kind regard,
Between them did design thee.
Kindness compared my present state
Wi’ what she ance had ken’d me;
And tender Pity mourn’d my fate,
And bade the giver send thee.
Lest I had thought at e’en or morn,
And wi’ a sigh reflected;
That now ’cause mair and mair forlorn—
I therefore was neglected.
While feeling in this breast is left,
The proud shall ne’er despise thee;
I’ll ca’ thee Pity’s parting gift,
And then the good will prize thee.—
Less for thy beauty, than that name,
I’m fain at being thy owner;
And though ’midst perils, far frae hame
Is now the gen’rous donor;
Not for thy sake, but for his ain,
Him my best wishes follow,
And may the task he’s underta’en
Thrive like the water’d willow.
May wealth and honour on him smile,
And goodness far ’bove either;
Peace guide him back t’ his native isle,
And safety waft him hither.
Till then, O! were his labours blest,
For Afric and for Britain,
That Prejudice might be dismissed,
And us no longer hatin’.
Trade’s intercourse might prove a mean
T’ amend their sad condition;
For darkness, heavenly light be seen,
’Tis my sincere petition
To Him, who only knows the end
Of all from the beginning,—
May grace to them, even them extend,
A willing people winning.