Part II

MEANTIME the ship, which JUBA bore,
To mild Virginia's harbour sail'd,
There a new master JUBA own'd,
Whose desp'rate schemes in traffic fail'd;

Whether 'twere ign'rance, or neglect,
Or dissipation thinn'd his gold,
But all his hopes were scatter'd wide,
Slaves, lands, and buildings, all were sold.

When, for integrity renown'd,
And sense above his servile sphere,
JUBA (so Fate ordain'd) allur'd
The notice of the British Peer,

Who then by equitable laws
Virginia's rich plantation sway'd,
And in his lord's esteem and love
A daily progress JUBA made;

For in all knowledge, that became
His station, an adept he grew,
True to the talents Nature lent,
And to his master's interest true.

Approv'd, instructed, and belov'd,
An easy servitude he wore;
And by his lord was still retain'd
When home recall'd to Britain's shore.

The Peer, right noble by descent,
But nobler in a gen'rous mind,
Lamenting that a virtuous heart
Should be in slavish bonds confin'd;

When settled in his native land,
His faithful JUBA thus address'd,
(Who in his master's cital kneel'd,
With sore dismay, and doubt oppress'd:)

"Rise, faithful man! no longer sigh
"Beneath base Slav'ry's grievous thrall;
"Here, in this happy land, enjoy
"That dow'r, our laws afford to all.

"Henceforth, be free! Religion's hand
"Shall seal thee with a mark divine—
"That done, thine own assenting will,
"And that alone, can make thee mine."

He led him to the sacred font,
With new-enkindled hopes inflam'd,
The holy rituals were perform'd,
And JUBA now is EDWARD nam'd.

With pride he to his Lord's abode
Return'd, and, with redoubled zeal,
He strove by actions to express
What words were powerless to reveal.

Oft he essay'd in vain to speak
The love and duty of his breast,
As oft convulsive sobs and tears,
With swelling throes, his voice suppress'd.

His Lord the painful strugglings felt,
Fraught with intelligence refin'd,
With smile complacent sooth'd his pain,
And in his silence read his mind.

First fav'rite in his master's train,
Some years in comfort EDWARD liv'd;
Nor felt a pain, but when his heart
For ORRA's dubious fortune griev'd.

Nor did good EDWARD e'er forget
He wore a Christian's sacred sign,
But duly sought the House of Pray'r,
And worshipp'd at the Holy Shrine.