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robert hayden – a leeter from phillis lyrics

dear obour7
our crossing was without
event. i could not help, at times
reflecting on that first—my destined—
voyage long ago (i yet
have some remebrance of its horrors)
and marvelling at god’s ways. (5)

last evening, her ladyship presented me
to her ill+strious friends
i scarce could tell them anything
of africa, though much of boston
and my hope of heaven. i read
my latest elegies to them
“o sable muse!” the countess cried
embracing me, whеn i had done
i held back tears, as is my won’t
and thеre were tears in dear
nathaniel’s eyes. (10)
at supper—i dined apart
like captive royalty—
the countess and her guests promised
signatures affirming me
true poetess, albeit once a slave
indeed, they were most kind, and spoke
moreover, of presenting me
at court (i thought of pocahontas)—
an honor, to be sure, but one
i should, no doubt, as patriot decline. (15)

my health is much improved;
i feel i may, if god so wills
entirely recover here
idyllic england! alas, there is
no eden without its serpent. under
the chiming complaisance i hear him hiss;
i see his fl!ckering tongue
when foppish would+be wits
murmur of the yankee pedlar
and his cannibal mockingbird. (20)

sister, forgive th’intrusion of
my sombreness—nocturnal mood
i would not share with any save
your trusted self. let me disperse
in closing, such unseemly gloom
by mention of an incident
you may, as i, consider droll:
today, a little chimney sweep
his face and hands with soot quite black
staring hard at me, politely asked:
“does you, m’lady, sweep chimneys too?”
i was amused, but dear nathaniel
(ever solicitous) was not. (25)
i pray the blessings of our lord
and saviour jesus christ be yours
abundantly. in his name, (30)

phillis

- robert hayden lyrics

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