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Black Nationalism and Emigration 187 And while the gloomy shades of night Settle upon the human mind, And leave the race in darkness blind, By many a foul and loathsome blight, We’ll quench each ray of dawning light, Till Superstition reigns alone, And War and Slavery prop their throne. Then with one wild exultant cry That seemed to rend⁶² the vaulted sky, And make the yawning caves of hell Re-echo to the fiendish yell, They took their flight o’er land and sea To work their dark iniquity. Quicker than flies a ray of light Each form had vanished from the sight, And as I stood in wonder there, The scene melted into air— Mountain and lake, and throne were gone, And I in silence stood alone. MORNING SONG⁶³ AWAKE! ’tis morn, The brilliant dawn Has ushered in the day; The Queen of night Has paled her light, The morning star its ray. 62. Douglass’s compositor has “mend” here, but “rend” seems more likely. 63. From Frederick Douglass’ Paper, 28 July 1854, 4. 188 Black Nationalism and Emigration Arise, and hark! The warbling lark Pours forth its morning lay, And seems to praise The sun’s bright rays Which gild the opening day. Each bud and flower, From field and bower, Sheds fragrance all around! While through the trees The murmuring breeze Whispers with gentle sound. While notes of praise In varied lays From all the earth arise, Pour forth thy song In notes more strong And let it reach the skies. And bear above Such strains of love As none but thou canst raise, Save angel choirs Who tune their lyres To sing Jehovah’s praise. ...

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