Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784)
‘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.
I believe it should read “dye” and not “die.” Wonderful find! What a piece of history. I’m glad I was directed to your wonderful website.
You are probably correct – I kept the archaic colonial-era spelling as found in the online version I copied & pasted from. Happens a lot with older poems. Good to have you visiting here.