AVARO and AMANDA. A POEM, in FOUR CANTO's, Taken from the Spectator, Vol. I. No. xi.

AVARO and AMANDA . A POEM , in FOUR CANTO's , Taken from the Spectator , Vol. I. No. xi .

CANTO I. WHAT Ills from Want of Education flow , From Avarice what cruel Scenes of Woe ; I mean to sing , except the tuneful Maid Neglect my Numbers , and refuse her Aid . Say , Goddess , first , what made the Youth explore A foreign Clime , and quit his native Shore ? Say too , how on the barb'rous Isle he came ; What mov'd the Kindness of the Negro Dame ? What could provoke a faithless Youth to sell A Friend , whose only Crime was loving well ? NOW had AVARO twenty Winters pass'd , His blooming Features ev'ry Beauty grac'd ; In silver Rings , his loosely flowing Hair Hung o'er his Shoulders , with a comely Air ; Robust his Limbs , and daring was his Soul , And Vigour crown'd the well-proportion'd Whole : His graceful Charms the Ladies oft survey'd , And oft their Eyes an am'rous Signal made ; But never could the tender Passion move , The stubborn Youth was still averse to Love ; Yet , tho' his Breast was Proof to CUPID's Dart , A more ignoble God enslav'd his Heart . NO Mysteries of Faith disturb'd his Head ; For Mysteries of Faith he seldom read ; That moral Law , which Nature had imprest , He blotted from the Volume of his Breast ; Yet in his Mind his Father's Precepts bears , Who often rung this Lesson in his Ears : " Would you , my Son , to Happiness aspire , " Know , Gold alone can Happiness acquire ; " He that has Gold , is pow'rful as a King , " Has Valour , Virtue , Wisdom , ev'ry thing ! " This to obtain , your utmost Skill bestow ; " And if you gain it , be not careful how : " If in the Court , or Camp , you take Delight , " Then dare to flatter there , or here to fight : " Or , should the Merchant's Life your Fancy please , " Be bold , and bravely venture on the Seas ; " Many by Merchandize have gain'd Renown , " And made the Indies Wealth become their own . " The Youth imbib'd the Precepts of his Tongue , Neglecting ev'ry Law of Right and Wrong ; Taught by his Sire to court destructive Gain , He burns to try his Fortune on the Main . WHILE other Youths , by Wit or Pleasure sway'd , Frequent the Play , the Ball , or Masquerade ; AVARO studious in his Chamber stays , Careless of Balls , of Masquerades , and Plays ; There adds , subtracts , and , with unweary'd Pain , Learns all the Rules of Int'rest , Loss and Gain . NEXT , from an old Astronomer , he tries To learn the Planets Journey thro' the Skies ; With him , at Night , when Heav'n serene appears , He points the Quadrant at the shining Spheres ; The HYADES , and frozen Pole surveys , Which guide the Sailor o'er the distant Seas ; Then Maps and Models of our Globe prepares , And carefully inspects both Hemispheres ; From East to West he views the spacious Round , Pleas'd with the modern World COLUMBUS found : In Hope elate , the Youth impatient stands , And seems to grasp both Indies in his Hands . This sees the Sire , and hastily provides A Vessel , proof against the Wind and Tides . The Youth embarks , the soft propitious Gales Arise , and soon expand the swelling Sails ; The Ship glides swiftly o'er the liquid Plain , And NEPTUNE smiles , and courts him on the Main . BUT see , how Mortals are the Sport of Fate ! How oft unhappy , striving to be great ! Ere CYNTHIA twice her monthly Race had run , An Omen of the fatal Storm begun : The murm'ring Wind arises by degrees , And rocks the Ship , and sweeps the curling Seas ; Now louder , with impetuous Force , it roars , And shoves the swelling Surges to the Shores ; Till rapid Rain , and Flakes of bick'ring Flame , With dreadful Thunder , vex th'ethereal Frame . Struck with Surprize , the tim'rous Merchant stands , Nor knows what he forbids , or what commands : Nor safely back , nor can he forwards go ; But trembling waits , and fears the fatal Blow . LONG time the Sailers work against the Wind , With fruitless Toil , to gain the Port assign'd ; Till Courage , Hope , and all Provisions fail'd , And Fear , Despair , and Want their Souls assail'd . Forc'd by the Storm into a winding Bay , Their joyful Eyes an Indian Isle survey ; When straight they quit their Ship , and gain the Shore , And for Recruits the Savage Land explore . ADJOINING to the dreary Beach , there stood Wild Shrubs and Trees , that form'd a gloomy Wood ; Where , close obscur'd , the crafty Natives lay , And watch'd the wand'ring Crew , remote from Sea : Then forth they rush , and strait their Bows prepare ; Too late the Sailers see th'approaching War : In vain the Brave engage , or Tim'rous fly ; The Tim'rous , and the Brave , promiscuous die ; The barb'rous Fields are stain'd with purple Gore . And dreadful Groanings echo to the Shore . Our youthful Merchant 'scapes , and flies alone ; His Fear impels , and Safety prompts him on ; Thro' dusky Woods he takes his trembling Flight , The dusky Woods conceal him from their Sight ; Till in the devious Wilds , remote from Foes , Then , on the Ground , he weeping vents his Woes , Oft curs'd his hapless Fate , and often thought On what the hoary Star-monger had taught ; How , at our Birth , as diff'rent Planets rule , They form a Wit , or constitute a Fool ; How , in the Maze of Life , we act as they Attract , retard , or force us in the Way . And , as he these uncertain Censures made , Against the Stars he thus exclaiming said : THE Planets sure some noxious Pow'r display , And rule my Life with arbitrary Sway ; Else had I ne'er forsook my native Home , Nor in this baleful Desert met my Doom — And yet , when I reflect , I cannot see , How Globes insensible should influence me ! I chuse my Actions ; when the Choice is made . I nor invoke , nor yet consult their Aid . When Mortals act according to their Will , Can Heav'n be call'd the Author of their Ill ? Too late I find , the Stars are not in Fault ; But 'tis that golden Wish my Sire has taught : Enticing Gold , that damn'd deceiving Guide , Induc'd me first to stem the foaming Tide ; Fallacious Charm , that led me from Repose , Now leaves me in a Labyrinth of Woes . SO , when compacted Vapours , in the Night , Skim o'er the Fields , with a delusive Light , The injudicious Traveller surveys Th'alluring Scene , and courts the glist'ring Blaze ; Till , tempted o'er a Rock's impending Brow , He falls to some tremendous Gulph below . THUS the unhappy Youth laments his Fate , Conscious of all the Ills , that round him wait ; Till setting PHOEBUS leaves the blushing Sky , And glimm'ring Stars a feeble Light supply : The Shades of Night increase his anxious Care , And add a greater Horror to Despair .

CANTO II . ALL Night in Tears the pensive Merchant lay , And often wish'd , and fear'd the coming Day ; Till , on the Hills , the rising Sun display'd His golden Beams , and chas'd away the Shade : Harmonious Birds salute his chearful Rays , And hail the rosy Morn with joyful Lays ; While , stretch'd upon the Ground , AVARO moans , Answ'ring their tuneful Songs with piercing Groans . NOT distant far from where the Youth was laid , A purling Stream , in pleasing Murmurs , play'd ; And , by the Margin of the crystal Flood , Two Rows of Trees in beautcous Order stood ; Whose Branches form'd a pendent Arch above , Diffusing gloomy Verdure o'er the Grove . An Indian Princess hither daily came , Pleas'd with the grateful Shade , and cooling Stream : She now was walking to her lov'd Retreat , And heard the mourning Youth lament his Fate : Fix'd in Amaze , a-while she list'ning stood ; Then swift approach'd him , rushing thro' the Wood . Th' affrighted Merchant rose with gazing Eyes , And tim'rous Looks , that testify'd Surprize : Backward he starts ; the Dame , with equal Fears , Recedes as fast , and wonders what appears : Yet , bolder grown , she soon advanc'd again , Smit with the Beauty of the godlike Man : His Dress , and fair Complexion , charm'd her Sight ; Each glowing Feature gave her new Delight ; While Love and Pity both arose within , And kindled in her Soul a Flame unseen . With equal Joy AVARO now survey'd The native Graces of the Negro Maid : He view'd her Arms , with various Ribbands bound ; Her downy Head , with painted Feathers crown'd ; With Bredes , and lucid Shells , in Circles strung , Which shone refulgent , as they round her hung . AS when , in splendid Robes , a courtly Maid Begins the Dance at Ball or Masquerade ; The Pearls and Di'monds shine with mingled Light , And glitt'ring Pendants blaze against the Sight . SO shone the beauteous Shells around her Waist , And sparkling Gems , that deck'd her jetty Breast ; All which AVARO's gazing Eyes pursue , Charm'd with her lovely Shape , disclos'd to View : Each Limb appears in just Proportion made , With Elegance thro' ev'ry Part display'd : And now his Cares dissolve , new Passions move ; And Nature intimates , the Change is LOVE . NOT far remote , a cooling Grot was made , In which the Virgin often sought a Shade : Thick Shrubs , and fruitful Vines , around it grew ; And none , except herself , the Mansion knew . To this obscure Recess the Royal Dame , Rejoicing , with her lovely Captive came : Then , from the Branches , with officious Haste , She plucks the Fruits , which yield a sweet Repast : That done , she , with her Bow , explores the Wood ; Pierc'd with her Shaft , the Fowl resigns his Blood . Then back she hastens to her cool Retreat , And for AVARO dress'd the grateful Meat : To slake his Thirst , she next directs his Way , Where crystal Streams in wild Meanders stray : Nor lets him there , expos'd to Foes , remain ; But to the Cave conducts him safe again . SO doats AMANDA on the Merchant , while She scorns the Lovers of her native Isle : For all the Heroes of her Country strove , With Emulation , to attract her Love ; And , when they could the painted Fowls insnare , Or pierce the savage Beast in sylvan War , The Skins and Feathers , Trophies of their Fame , They gave for Presents to the Royal Dame ; All which she to her lov'd AVARO brought , And with them gaily deck'd his shining Grot : The spotted Panther here she hung ; and there , With Paws extended , frown'd the shaggy Bear ; Here gaudy Plumes appear , in Lustre bright ; There Shells and Pearls diffuse a sparkling Light . AS when , to grace some Royal Prince's Hall , The skilful Painter animates the Wall ; Here warlike Heroes frown in Martial Arms , There a soft Nymph displays her blushing Charms A pleasing Landscape next invites our Eye , And the Room glows with sweet Variety . YET , still to give her Lover more Delight , ( Lest what he daily saw , should pall the Sight ) When SOL with Purple cloath'd the Western Sky , And Shades extended shew'd the Ev'ning nigh , She to some verdant Grove the Youth convey'd , Where Nightingales harmonious Music made : Soft Flow'rets were their Couch ; and , all around , Diffusive Sweets perfum'd the fragrant Ground . There oft she would his snowy Bosom bare , Oft round her Fingers wind his silver Hair ; Charm'd with the Contrast , which their Colours made , More pleasing than the Tulip's Light and Shade . Nor was the Youth insensible ; but soon Repaid her Love , by shewing of his own : Oft would his Bosom heave with speaking Sighs ; Oft would he gaze , and languish with his Eyes : Now on her panting Breast his Head repose , To meet his Head her panting Breast arose ; While in her Soul ecstatic Raptures glow'd , And her fond Arms believ'd they clasp'd a God . SO liv'd the happy Pair , observ'd by none , Till both had learnt a Language of their own ; In which the Youth , one Ev'ning , in the Shade , Beguiles the harmless unsuspicious Maid ; Leans on her Breast , and , with a Kiss , betrays ; Then vents his specious Fraud in Words like these ; WITNESS , ye Gods , and all ye Blest above , ( For Ye can witness best , how well I love ) If e'er , among our blooming Nymphs , I knew Such Pleasures , as my Soul receives from you ! O dear AMANDA ! could I but , with thee , Once more my happy native Country see , You should not there in lonely Caves retreat , Nor trace the burning Sands with naked Feet ; Your Limbs , which now the Sun and Wind invade , Should neatly be in softest Silks array'd ; In gilded Houses gaily should you ride , By Horses drawn , which prancing Side by Side , Neigh , foam , and champ the Bit with graceful Pride ; Our Time , in Pomp and Peace , should slide away , And blooming Pleasures crown the smiling Day ; And , when the setting Sun forsook the Skies , Approaching Night should but increase our Joys : We would not on the chilling Ground embrace , Nor Foes , as now , should interrupt our Peace ; But both reposing on some easy Bed , Soft , as the fleecy Down , that decks thy Head , The sportive God of Love should round us play , While we , in Raptures , pass'd the Night away : Then let us carefully , my Dear , explore The Haven , where I first approach'd the Shore . Perhaps we shall some floating Ship survey , Safe to conduct us o'er the watry Way : Nor let the foaming Waves your Steps retard ; I'll guard you o'er , and be a faithful Guard . How oft , alas ! is Innocence betray'd , When Love invites , and Flatterers persuade ? How could the Dame , a Stranger to Deceit , Imagine such a heav'nly Form a Cheat ? She paus'd , she sigh'd ; then , with a pensive Look , Half loth , and half consenting , thus she spoke : ONCE has AVARO scap'd the raging Main : Why would you tempt the fickle Seas again ? To seek new Dangers , when in Safety here , Would but provoke the Deities you fear — Sometimes , I own , we've been surpriz'd by Foes , Whose nightly Walks have wak'd you from Repose : Yet still I guard your sacred Life secure , And always will — What can AMANDA more ? THUS said , she clasp'd him in her loving Arms , Embrac'd his Neck , and doated on his Charms : And now both shew their Passions in their Look , And now Connubial HYMEN both invoke ; In sportive Joys they clos'd the genial Day , While PHILOMELA sung the Nuptial Lay ; Till soon the Youth reclin'd upon her Breast , And golden Slumbers seal'd their Eyes to Rest .

CANTO III . SOON as the Sun began to gild the Day , And on the Hills emit a trembling Ray ; AMANDA , from her flow'ry Bed , awoke ; Sad was her Heart , and discompos'd her Look ; The briny Torrent flows adown her Cheeks , While thus she to her dear AVARO speaks : O Thou , on whom my Life and Love depend , If e'er AMANDA claim'd the Name of Friend ; If e'er I gave thy troubled Mind Repose , Or hid thee , when pursu'd with furious Foes ; Explain this Dream , that terrifies my Breast ; The strangest , Fear , or Fancy , e'er imprest ! METHOUGHT a God descended from the Skies ; Celestial Beauty sparkled in his Eyes ; Like Rays of PHOEBUS shone his radiant Hair , His Shape like thine , like thine his graceful Air ; A Robe was neatly girt about his Waist , Fine as my lov'd AVARO's silken Vest ; His shining Lips upon my Breast he laid , And softly press'd my Hand , and smiling said : " ARISE , my Dear , my lov'd AMANDA , rise ; " An easier Lodging waits thee in the Skies : " I am descended from the blest Abodes , " To bear thee hence to Heav'n among the Gods : " No Enemies shall there disturb thy Rest ; " There , with thy Lover , live for ever blest . " THUS said , he rais'd me from the dewy Plain , And bore , or seem'd to bear me , o'er the Main : But soon he led me to a distant Isle , Where Horrors reign , and Comforts never smile : Thick Brakes and Brambles choak'd the dreary Coast , The only Product , which the Land could boast ; Till a dejected , servile Race arose , With gloomy Sadness brooding on their Brows : This Crowd , promiscuous , with incessant Toil , Or rooted up the Wood , or plough'd the Soil : How each perform'd his Task , a Tyrant view'd ; And sternly shook his Whip , and menac'd , as he stood . Sometimes , to shun the direful Lash , they fled ; Th'insulting Lord pursu'd with greater Speed : Sure not so fearful fly the trembling Bears , To shun our Hunters Darts , and missive Spears ; Sure not so swift our Hunters e'er pursu'd The trembling Bears , when flying thro' the Wood ; As from the Tyrant's Wrath they swiftly run , Or , as the Tyrant , swifter , urg'd 'em on . Each to his wonted Task he drove again , And made me mix among the servile Train ; Doom'd with the rest to groan beneath the Yoke , Alike I felt the dire correcting Stroke . But , O ! what added most to my Despair , My Godlike Guide was false , and left me there — As thus she spake , confus'd her Looks appear'd ; For still her Soul the dreadful Vision fear'd : Deciding Reason from her Seat withdrew , And Fancy painted all the Scene anew . The Youth to chear the drooping Dame essay'd , When straight a Boar came rushing thro' the Shade ; The crashing Woods proclaim'd his rapid Force , While two fleet Youths pursu'd the sylvan Course : The Lovers started from their flow'ry Seats , Surpriz'd , and each a diff'rent Way retreats . As when some Musquet's Thunder has expell'd Two loving Turtles from the verdant Field ; Both , diverse , thro' the wide ethereal Plain Fly swift ; and flying , fear their Mate is slain . So parting , devious fled th'affrighted Pair ; Such was AVARO's , such AMANDA's Fear . The foaming Boar between 'em swiftly past , The nimble Coursers urge the Chace as fast ; Till soon they pierce him with a mortal Wound ; He falls , and purple Gore distains the Ground : Then , from the savage War , they take their Way ; And to their Cave , triumphant , bear the Prey . SOON as the sportive Hunters left the Wood , The loving Pair conceal'd no longer stood ; But trembling both forsook the dusky Shade , Both trembling met upon the op'ning Glade : Mute with Surprize a-while they stood ; the Man Broke Silence first , and thus his Tale began : O dear AMANDA ! soon we have survey'd This mystic Vision of the Night display'd : These are the frowning Tyrants in thy Dream , That chas'd the Slaves , and we their flying Game . SOME Part , said she , resembled this , I own ; And some remains a Riddle yet unknown : What meant that God , which still , methinks , I view ? That radiant Deity ! so much like You ! And what the Fields above , which he propos'd ? Say , if the Mystery can be disclos'd . To whom the Youth : Our active Fancy seems For ever roving , roving most in Dreams : For then the Soul , disburden'd of her Load , Soars high , and grows prophetic , like a God ; Minds Things when past , as present to our View ; And , by Allusion , knows the future too . Thus , when to Sleep your musing Head reclin'd , She kept our Ev'ning Converse in her Mind ; Reflected on the Joys my Country yields , Joys , sweet as those in yonder azure Fields ; Till , soaring higher , striving to discern Her hidden Fate , and future Fortune learn , Heav'n shew'd her something like this Morning Chace , By trembling Slaves , who fled their Tyrant's Face ; Perhaps , to warn us timely from our Bed ; For , O my dear AMANDA ! had we stay'd , I had not liv'd to tell this mystic Tale , Nor you , to hear the Secrets I reveal — But let us to my happy Country steer , Nor longer wait impending Ruin here . So spake the Youth ; and , with a gracious Look , He seem'd to sanctify the Words he spoke . Go , she reply'd ; go where you are inclin'd ; Your faithful Lover will not stay behind . If o'er the Seas you shall attempt your Way , The Seas shall not compel me here to stay ; Nor will I fear the Surges of the Deep ; ( For Surges oft , you say , assail the Ship ) Calm and compos'd , intrepid , will I stand , Till you conduct me to your native Land . Or , if you would some other Clime pursue , Then shall some other Climate please me too . And when the happy destin'd Land we meet , Where Providence shall fix our wand'ring Feet ; With joyful Servitude , I'll still attend On you , my nuptial Lord , and dearest Friend . Soon as AURORA spreads her purple Ray , When you awake , to chase the nimble Prey , I'll also rise ; and , with an equal Art , Display the Net , or speed the pointed Dart ; Or search the Plains , and tasteful Herbs provide ; Or strip the Vines , and press their juicy Pride : Each Ev'ning will I fondly deck your Bed With sweetest Flow'rets , gather'd from the Mead And when , dissolv'd in downy Sleep , you lie , I'll wake , and watch if Foes approach too nigh : To guard your Life , all Hazards will I run ; And , for your Safety , sacrifice my own . TO whom the Youth : No Hazards shall you run ; Nor , for my Safety , sacrifice your own ; Nor yet at Ev'ning fondly deck my Bed With sweetest Flow'rets , gather'd from the Mead ; Nor shall AMANDA tasteful Herbs explore ; Nor shall AVARO chase the savage Boar : A softer Bed , than Flow'rs , shall give you Rest ; A choicer Meat , than Fruits , indulge your Taste . Ten thousand Things my grateful Soul shall find , To charm your Fancy , and delight your Mind ; I'll vary Love a hundred diff'rent Ways , And institute new Arts to make it please : So shall our future Race of Children see A constant Proverb made of you and me : When British Youths shall court the doubting Dame , And want Expressions equal to their Flame ; Then , strongly to attest it , shall be said , " True , as AVARO to the Indian Maid . " To whom AMANDA , ( pausing at the Name ) What meant AVARO by the doubting Dame ? Has any of your British Damsels made A Doubt of what such godlike Beings said ? Or is it customary to your Clime ? Has ever Youth committed such a Crime , As base Ingratitude ? Has any there Deluded first , and then forsook , the Fair ? I cannot think , your Love will e'er decline , Nor can my radiant Angel question mine . By yon bright Beams , which paint the rising Day ; By thy bright Charms , as beautiful as they ; By all our pleasing Hours of Love , I vow To share your Fate thro' ev'ry Scene of Woe ; Content , with you , to yield my vital Breath ; For Life , without you , would but lengthen Death . WITH such sweet Talk their Moments they beguile ; Both seem impatient for the destin'd Isle : He daily vows , and daily is believ'd ; She daily hears , and daily is deceiv'd .

CANTO IV . FAREWEL , bright Goddess of th' Idalian Grove ! Farewel , ye sportive Deities of LOVE ! No longer I your pleasing Joys rehearse ; A rougher Theme demands my pensive Verse ; A Scene of Woes remains to be display'd , Indulgent Love with Slavery repaid : Ingratitude , and broken Vows , and Lies , The mighty Ills , that spring from Avarice , Provoke my Lays : Your Aid , ye Muses , bring ; Assist my Tragic Numbers , while I sing . Say , what ensu'd , when , on the briny Deep , The watchful Dame beheld a floating Ship ? She call'd , and beckon'd to it from the Shore ; Then to the Youth the grateful Tidings bore ; And said , I something see , like winged Trees , ( Strange to behold ! ) fly swiftly o'er the Seas ; Their bulky Roots upon the Billows float : Say , is not this the Ship , you long have sought ? Or I mistake , or , by the Gods Command , This comes to bear us to your native Land : Then hasten , see the Partner of your Heart , With You , her Guide , is ready to depart ; My Father , Mother , Friends , I bid Adieu , Friends , Father , Mother , not so dear as You . To whom the Youth , with smiling Brow , reply'd : O thou true Pattern of a faithful Bride ! Who dar'st thy Father , Mother , Friends resign ; And risque thy own dear Life , to rescue mine ! — If I forget the Debt I owe to Thee , May all the Gods forget their Care of Me ! In more wild Deserts let me rove again ; Nor find a Friend , like Thee , to ease my Pain ! There let the Vulturs , Wolves , and Tigers tear This Body , Thou hast kindly nourish'd here ! So saying , to the Beach he straight descends ; And , by the Flag , discerns the Crew his Friends : And now his Heart exults within his Breast ; His loving Mate an equal Joy confest ; She , with him , gladly ventures on the Main , Unthinking of her future Toil and Pain . So , to the Plough , the Heifer , yet unbroke , Walks chearful on , nor dreads th'impending Yoke ; Till , in the Fields , urg'd with the piercing Goad , She groans , and writhes , reluctant with her Load . THE British Bark was to Barbados bound : Th'expected Shore the Sailers quickly found ; Where , safe from Danger , now the perjur'd Youth , False to his former Vows of sacred Truth , Reflecting , counts the Int'rest he had lost , While Fate detain'd him on the Indian Coast : The frugal Thoughts suppress his am'rous Flame , And prompt him to betray the faithful Dame . Yet scarce he can the cursed Fact pursue ; But hesitates at what he fain would do : For , tho' his Av'rice moves him to the Ill , His Gratitude within him struggles still ; And , 'twixt two Passions , neither guides his Will . AS when two Scales , which equal Loads suspend , Sway to and fro ; alternate both descend , Till undeclining each aloft abides , Nor this , nor that , the doubtful Weight decides . SO stood the doubtful Youth a-while ; nor wou'd Forsake the Evil , nor pursue the Good ; Till , as the Sailers in the Haven stay , To purchase Slaves , the Planters croud the Key : One asks , for what the Negro may be sold ; Then bids a Price , and shews the tempting Gold : Which when AVARO views with greedy Eyes , He soon resolves to gain th'alluring Prize ; Nor Oaths , nor Gratitude , can longer bind ; Her Fate he thus determines in his Mind : " SUPPOSE I should conduct this Indian o'er ; " And thus , instead of Gold , import a Moor — " Would not my Sire , with stern contracted Brows , " Condemn my Choice , and curse my nuptial Vows ? " Was it for this I learn'd the Merchant's Art ? " Only to gain a doating Negro's Heart ! " Was it for this the raging Seas I crost ? " No ; Gold induc'd me to the Indian Coast ; " And Gold is offer'd for this simple Dame ; " Shall I refuse it , or renounce my Flame ? — " Let am'rous Fools their tiresome Joys renew , " And doat on Love , while Int'rest I pursue . " He added not ; for now , intent on Gold , And dead to all Remorse , the Dame he sold . AMANDA stood confounded with Surprize , And silently reproach'd him with her Eyes : She often try'd to speak ; but when she try'd , Her Heart swell'd full , her Voice its Aid deny'd ; And , when she made her fault'ring Tongue obey , These Words , commix'd with Sighs , found out their Way . " WHO can the mystic Ways of Fate explain ? " Am I awake , or do I dream again ? " Is this the sad Reward of all my Care ? " Was it for this I chear'd thee in Despair ? " The Gods above ( if any Gods there be ) " Witness what I have done to succour thee ! " Yet , if my Kindness can't thy Pity move , " Pity the Fruits of our unhappy Love : " O let the Infant , in my pregnant Womb , " Excite thee to revoke my threaten'd Doom ; " Think how the future Slave , in Climes remote , " Shall curse the treach'rous Sire , that him begot . " SO spake the mourning Dame , but spake in vain ; Th'obdurate Youth insults her with Disdain ; Not all her Kindness could his Pity move , Nor yet the Fruits of their unhappy Love . But , as the Flames , which soften Wax , display The same warm Force to harden sordid Clay ; That Motive , which would melt another Heart , More harden'd his , and made him act a double Villain's Part . He , for the Child , demands a larger Sum ; And sells it , while an Embryo in the Womb . AND now he sternly takes her by the Hand , Then drags her on , reluctant , to the Land ; While , as she walks , her dismal Fate she moans , The Rocks around her echo to her Groans : " O base , ungrateful Youth ! " she loudly cries ; " O base , ungrateful Youth ! " the Shore replies : " And canst thou , cruel , perjur'd Villain ! leave " Thy tender Infant too , an abject Slave , " To toil , and groan , and bleed beneath the Rod ? " Fool that I was , to think thou wert a God ! " Sure from some savage Tyger art thou sprung — " No : Tygers feed , and fawn upon their Young : " But thou despisest all paternal Cares , " The Fate of Infants , and their Mother's Pray'rs . " IN vain she does her wretched State deplore ; Pleas'd with the Gold , he gladly quits the Shore ; The ruffling Winds dilate the Sails , the Ship Divides the Waves , and skims along the Deep . Three Days the bellying Canvas gently swells , Clear shines the Sun , and friendly blow the Gales ; Then frowning Clouds invest the vaulted Sky , And hollow Winds proclaim a Tempest nigh : Fierce BOREAS loudly o'er the Ocean roars , Smoke the white Waves , and sound the adverse Shores ; While , to increase the Horrors of the Main , Descends a Deluge of impetuous Rain . The giddy Ship on circling Eddies rides , Toss'd , and retoss'd , the Sport of Winds and Tides . Redoubled Peals of roaring Thunder roll , And Flames , conflicting , flash from Pole to Pole , While guilty Thoughts distract AVARO's Soul . Of Life despairing , tho' afraid to die , One fatal Effort yet he means to try : While all the busy Crew , with panting Breath , Were lab'ring to repel the liquid Death ; AVARO from the Stern the Boat divides , And yields up to the Fury of the Tides : Toss'd on the boist'rous Wave , the Vessel flies , Now sinking low , now mounting to the Skies ; Till soon the Storm decreas'd , and , by degrees , Hush'd were the Winds , and calm the ruffled Seas ; The Sailers safely steer their Course again , And leave AVARO floating on the Main ; Who landed quickly on a lonely Isle , Where human Feet ne'er print the baleful Soil ; A dreary Wilderness was all appear'd , And howling Wolves the only Sound he heard ; A thousand Deaths he views before his Eyes , A thousand Guilt-created Fiends arise ; A conscious Hell within his Bosom burns , And racks his tortur'd Soul , while thus he mourns : " CURS'D be the Precepts of my selfish Sire , " Who bad me after fatal Gold aspire ! " Curs'd be myself , and doubly curs'd , who sold " A faithful Friend , to gain that fatal Gold ! — " O ! could these gloomy Woods my Sin conceal , " Or in my Bosom quench this firy Hell ; " Here would I pine my wretched Life away , " Or to the hungry Savage fall a Prey — " But can the gloomy Woods conceal my Sin , " Or cooling Shadows quench the Hell within ? " No ; like some Spirit banish'd Heav'n , I find " Terrors in ev'ry Place , to rack my Mind ; " Tormenting conscious Plagues increase my Care , " And guilty Thoughts indulge my just Despair — " O ! where shall I that piercing Eye evade , " That scans the Depths of Hell's tremendous Shade ? " SO saying , straight he gave a hideous Glare , With rolling Eyes , that witness'd strong Despair : Then drew his pointed Weapon from the Sheath , Confus'dly wild , and all his Thoughts on Death ; To pierce his trembling Heart he thrice essay'd , And thrice his coward Arm deny'd its Aid : Meanwhile a howling Wolf , with Hunger prest , Leap'd on the Wretch , and seiz'd him by the Breast ; Tore out his Heart , and lick'd the purple Flood ; For Earth refus'd to drink the Villain's Blood .