 |
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | "A Hymn to the
Morning" from POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, RELIGIOUS AND MORAL
1773
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections
Division |  return to main documents
page |
| |
 |
|
Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa and sold into
slavery in Boston, Massachusetts. Phillis' Boston owners educated her
alongside their own daughters. Phillis' erudition is revealed in this
poem, which referrs to the Greek goddesses of the dawn, Aurora, and to
Zephyr, the West Wind. Phillis was the first African-American poet to
be published.
POEMS ON
AN HYMN TO THE MORNING.
ATTEND my lays, ye ever honour'd nine, Assist my labours, and my strains
refine; In smoothest numbers pour the notes along, For bright Aurora now
demands my song.
Aurora hail, and all the thousands dies, Which deck thy progress[s]
through the vaulted skies: The morn awakes, and wide extends her rays,
On ev'ry leaf the gentle zephyr plays; Harmonious lays the feather'd
race resume, Dart the bright eye, and shake the painted plume.
Ye shady groves, your verdant gloom display To shield your poet from the
burning day: Calliope awake the sacred lyre, While thy fair sisters fan
the pleasing fire:
[Page] 57
The bow'rs, the gales, the variegated skies In all their pleasures in my
bosom rise.
See in the east th'illustrious king of day! His rising radiance drives
the shades away- But Oh! I feel his fervid beams too strong, And scarce
begun, concludes th'abortive song.
| | |
|
|
|
| |
