“At length, one day, one sunny day, when earth and heaven were bright,
The mother to her daily toil went forth at morning light;
At evening, when her task was done,—how can the tale be told?
She came back to her empty hut, to find her darling sold.
“Come nearer, my own precious ones, your soft white arms entwine
Around my neck, and kiss me close, sweet Ella, daughter mine;
Five years in beauty thou hast bloomed, of my happy life a part,
Oh, God! I guess the anguish of that lone slave-mother’s heart.
“Now, darlings, go and kiss papa, and whisper your good-night,