Aspects of Slavery and Freedom Seeking in North Carolina
THE SLAVE-MOTHER'S REPLY [poem]
“ All my noble boys are sold, Bartered for the trader's gold;
Where the Rio Grande runs, Toils the eldest of my sons;
In the swamps of Florida, Hides my Rob, a runaway;
Georgia's rice- fields show the care Of my boys who labor there;
Alabama claims the three Last who nestled on my knee;
Children seven, seven masters hold By their cursed power of gold;
Stronger here than mother's love Stronger here, but weak above;
Ask me not to hope to be free, or see my children free;
Rather teach me so to live,
That this boon the Lord may give-
First to clasp them by the hand,
As they enter in the Land. ”