Poetry: On Being Brought from Africa to America by Phyllis Wheatley

On Being Brought from Africa to America
by Phyllis Wheatley

‘Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
“Their colour is a diabolic die.”
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.


* If this is your first time reading this poem, please read it very slowly and carefully; it will be helpful to look up the italicized words (preferably in the OED). Also if you don’t already know about the poet read Wheatley’s bio via the Poetry Foundation for a good intro.

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