The old man paused, a choking sob
Burst from his heart of steel.
Ah! white men, do ye ever think
The black man too can feel
Those large emotions of the heart
Which home and kindred wake,
Which swell up in our panting breasts
As if our hearts would break?
While still he wept, a lovely maid
Crept from a wood hard by;
Poor Amakeya's skin was black,
But Love beamed from her eye
As brightly as it beameth forth
In lordly homes of ease,
In happier climes, where sound of war
Ne'er scared off love-born Peace.
She stole close to the sobbing chief,
And look'd up in his face
With all a woman's tenderness—
Eve's universal grace.
"My father, O my father! list,
Ah! weep not so, I pray;
But come with me, I'll comfort thee,
And all thy grief allay."
She took him gently by the hand,
And led him from that soil
Mark'd with the blood of those he loved
And all war's horrid toil.
