Fugitive Verses

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DEVOTIONAL SONG FOR A NEGRO CHILD.

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	WHEN at rising morn we lave
	Our dark limbs in the shiny wave,
	When beneath the palm-tree shade,
	We rest awhile in freshness laid,
	And, when our early task is done,
	Whom should we love to think upon?

	When we noonday slumber take,
	In grassy glade or bowery brake,
	Where humming birds come glancing by,
	And stingless snakes untwisted lie,
	And quietly sounds the beetle's drone,
	Whom should we love to think upon?

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	When, all awake, we shout and sing,
	And dance and gambol in a ring,
	Or, healthful hunger to relieve,
	Our stated wholesome meals receive,—
	When this is past and day is done,
	Whom should we love to think upon?

	On God the giver of all good,
	Who gives us life, and rest, and food,
	And cheerful pastime, late and early,
	And parents kind who love us dearly; —
	God hath our hearts with goodness won,
	Him will we love to think upon.

SECOND DEVOTIONAL SONG.

	OUR heavenly Father sent his Son
	From hateful sin to save us,
	And precious blessings many a one,
	Health, friends and freedom gave us.

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	And all we see, each beauteous sight,
	The woods, the fields, the ocean,
	The sun by day, the moon by night,
	Should fill us with devotion.

	Then let our praises be expressed
	In light and lively measure,
	He loves the grateful homage best
	That is bestowed with pleasure.

THIRD DEVOTIONAL SONG.

	OUR Father and Almighty Lord,
	By angels and by saints adored,
	With starry brightness circled round,
	Gleam beyond gleam, which hath no bound,—
	Though He be high and we are low,
	Accepts the grateful thanks that flow
	From infant lips, and to the skies,
	Like morning's early vapour rise;—
	The simplest child who lisps a prayer,
	His mercy and his love will share.

About this text
Courtesy of University of California, Davis. General Library. Digital Intitiatives Program.; http://digital.lib.ucdavis.edu/projects/bwrp
http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt567nb8xt&brand=oac4
Title: Fugitive Verses
By:  Baillie, Joanna, 1762-1851, creator, British Women Romantic Poets Project
Date: 2001 (issued)
Contributing Institution: University of California, Davis. General Library. Digital Intitiatives Program.; http://digital.lib.ucdavis.edu/projects/bwrp
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