Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784)

Sold into slavery in Africa at the age of 7
Brought to Boston and purchased by
John Wheatley, Converted to Chrisitainty
Educated, and the first published
African author in America.

SOON as the sun forsook the eastern main
The pealing thunder shook the heav'nly plain;
Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr's* wing,
Exhales the incense of the blooming spring.
Soft purl* the streams, the birds renew their notes,
And through the air their mingled music floats.

Through all the heav'ns what beauteous dies are spread!
But the west glories in the deepest red:
So may our breasts with ev'ry virtue glow,
The living temples of our God below!

Fill'd with the praise of Him who gives the light,
And draws the sable curtains of the night,
Let placid slumbers sooth each weary mind,
At morn to wake more heav'nly, more refin'd;

So shall the labours of the day begin
More pure, more guarded from the snares of sin.
Night's leaden sceptre seals my drowsy eyes,
Then cease, my song, till fair Aurora* rise.

*zephyr- a gentle breeze

*purl- to flow with a murmuring sound.

*Aurora- the dawn