“Loose every sail to the breeze, The course of my vessel improve; I’ve done with the toil of the seas, Ye sailors I’m bound to my love.
Since Solena’s as true as she’s fair, My grief I fling all to the wind; ‘Tis a pleasing return for my care, My mistress is constant and kind.
My sails are all filled to my dear; What tropic birds swifter can move; Who, cruel, shall hold his career, That returns to the nest of his love?
Hoist ev’ry sail to the breeze, Come, shipmates, and join in the song; Let’s drink, while our ship cuts the seas, To the gale that may drive her along.
I’ve reached, spite of tempests, the port, Now I’ll fly to the arms of my love; And, rather than reef I will court, And win my beautiful dove.”
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_To the Free People of Color in the Free States._
I inscribe this Book to you, for several reasons. I love you, and feel anxious to have you become intelligent and virtuous. I know that there are only a few books adapted to your taste and acquirements; and I have had my eye upon your good in writing this history. I have thought you would understand it a great deal better if it was told in Peter’s own language, and so I wrote it just as he told it. I hope you will read it _through_, and follow Peter to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. And if you are oppressed by the strong arm of power, and kept down by an unholy and cruel prejudice, forget it and forgive it all, and go to that blessed Redeemer who came to save your souls, that he might clothe you, at last, with clean white linen, which is the righteousness of the sain’ts.
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Lives at Madam Rylander’s—Quaker Macy—Susan a colored girl lives with Mr. Macy—she is kidnapped and carried away, and sold into slavery—Peter visits at the “Nixon’s, mazin’ respectable” colored people in Philadelphia—falls in love with Solena—gits the consent of old folks—fix wedding day—“ax parson”—Solena dies in his arms—his grief—compared with Rhoderic Dhu—lives in New Haven—sails for New York—drives hack—Susan Macy is redeemed from slavery—she tells Peter her story of blood and horror, and abuse, and the way she made her escape from her chains.