“What said the jury?” - they were long in doubt,
But sturdy Peter faced the matter out:
So they dismissed him, saying at the time,
“Keep fast your hatchway when you’ve boys who climb.”
This hit the conscience, and he colour’d more
Than for the closest questions put before.
Thus all his fears the verdict set aside,
And at the slave-shop Peter still applied.
Then came a boy, of manners soft and mild, -
Our seamen’s wives with grief beheld the child;