Marginalia

The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point

Paul Schacht

September 2, 2019

¶ 1 I. I stand on the mark beside the shore Leave a comment on line 1 0
¶ 2       Of the first white pilgrim’s bended knee, Leave a comment on line 2 0
¶ 3     Where exile turned to ancestor, Leave a comment on line 3 0
¶ 4       And God was thanked for liberty. Leave a comment on line 4 0
¶ 5     I have run through the night, my skin is as dark, Leave a comment on line 5 0
¶ 6     I bend my knee down on this mark: Leave a comment on line 6 0
¶ 7       I look on the sky and the sea. Leave a comment on line 7 0

¶ 8 II. O pilgrim-souls, I speak to you! Leave a comment on line 8 0
¶ 9       I see you come proud and slow Leave a comment on line 9 0
¶ 10     From the land of the spirits pale as dew Leave a comment on line 10 0
¶ 11       And round me and round me ye go. Leave a comment on line 11 0
¶ 12     O pilgrims, I have gasped and run Leave a comment on line 12 0
¶ 13     All night long from the whips of one Leave a comment on line 13 0
¶ 14       Who in your names works sin and woe! Leave a comment on line 14 0

¶ 15 III. And thus I thought that I would come Leave a comment on line 15 0
¶ 16       And kneel here where ye knelt before, Leave a comment on line 16 0
¶ 17     And feel your souls around me hum Leave a comment on line 17 0
¶ 18       In undertone to the ocean’s roar; Leave a comment on line 18 0
¶ 19     And lift my black face, my black hand, Leave a comment on line 19 0
¶ 20     Here, in your names, to curse this land Leave a comment on line 20 0
¶ 21       Ye blessed in freedom’s, evermore. Leave a comment on line 21 0

¶ 22 IV. I am black, I am black, Leave a comment on line 22 0
¶ 23       And yet God made me, they say: Leave a comment on line 23 0
¶ 24     But if He did so, smiling back Leave a comment on line 24 0
¶ 25       He must have cast his work away Leave a comment on line 25 0
¶ 26     Under the feet of his white creatures, Leave a comment on line 26 0
¶ 27     With a look of scorn, that the dusky features Leave a comment on line 27 0
¶ 28       Might be trodden again to clay. Leave a comment on line 28 0

¶ 29 V. And yet He has made dark things Leave a comment on line 29 0
¶ 30       To be glad and merry as light: Leave a comment on line 30 0
¶ 31     There’s a little dark bird sits and sings, Leave a comment on line 31 0
¶ 32       There’s a dark stream ripples out of sight, Leave a comment on line 32 0
¶ 33     And the dark frogs chant in the safe morass, Leave a comment on line 33 0
¶ 34     And the sweetest stars are made to pass Leave a comment on line 34 0
¶ 35       O’er the face of the darkest night. Leave a comment on line 35 0

¶ 36 VI. But we who are dark, we are dark! Leave a comment on line 36 0
¶ 37       Ah God, we have no stars! Leave a comment on line 37 0
¶ 38     About our souls in care and cark Leave a comment on line 38 0
¶ 39       Our blackness shuts like prison-bars: Leave a comment on line 39 0
¶ 40     The poor souls crouch so far behind Leave a comment on line 40 0
¶ 41     That never a comfort can they find Leave a comment on line 41 0
¶ 42       By reaching through the prison-bars. Leave a comment on line 42 0

¶ 43 VII. Indeed we live beneath the sky, Leave a comment on line 43 0
¶ 44       That great smooth Hand of God stretched out Leave a comment on line 44 0
¶ 45     On all His children fatherly, Leave a comment on line 45 0
¶ 46       To save them from the dread and doubt Leave a comment on line 46 0
¶ 47     Which would be if, from this low place, Leave a comment on line 47 0
¶ 48     All opened straight up to His face Leave a comment on line 48 0
¶ 49       Into the grand eternity. Leave a comment on line 49 0

¶ 50 VIII. And still God’s sunshine and His frost, Leave a comment on line 50 0
¶ 51       They make us hot, they make us cold, Leave a comment on line 51 0
¶ 52     As if we were not black and lost; Leave a comment on line 52 0
¶ 53       And the beasts and birds, in wood and fold, Leave a comment on line 53 0
¶ 54     Do fear and take us for very men: Leave a comment on line 54 0
¶ 55     Could the whip-poor-will or the cat of the glen Leave a comment on line 55 0
¶ 56       Look into my eyes and be bold? Leave a comment on line 56 0

¶ 57 IX. I am black, I am black! Leave a comment on line 57 0
¶ 58       But, once, I laughed in girlish glee, Leave a comment on line 58 0
¶ 59     For one of my colour stood in the track Leave a comment on line 59 0
¶ 60       Where the drivers drove, and looked at me, Leave a comment on line 60 0
¶ 61     And tender and full was the look he gave — Leave a comment on line 61 0
¶ 62     Could a slave look so at another slave? — Leave a comment on line 62 0
¶ 63       I look at the sky and the sea. Leave a comment on line 63 0

¶ 64 X. And from that hour our spirits grew Leave a comment on line 64 0
¶ 65       As free as if unsold, unbought: Leave a comment on line 65 0
¶ 66     Oh, strong enough, since we were two, Leave a comment on line 66 0
¶ 67       To conquer the world, we thought. Leave a comment on line 67 0
¶ 68     The drivers drove us day by day; Leave a comment on line 68 0
¶ 69     We did not mind, we went one way, Leave a comment on line 69 0
¶ 70       And no better a freedom sought. Leave a comment on line 70 0

¶ 71 XI. In the sunny ground between the canes, Leave a comment on line 71 0
¶ 72       He said “I love you” as he passed; Leave a comment on line 72 0
¶ 73     When the shingle-roof rang sharp with the rains, Leave a comment on line 73 0
¶ 74       I heard how he vowed it fast: Leave a comment on line 74 0
¶ 75     While others shook he smiled in the hut, Leave a comment on line 75 0
¶ 76     As he carved me a bowl of the cocoa-nut Leave a comment on line 76 0
¶ 77       Through the roar of the hurricanes. Leave a comment on line 77 0

¶ 78 XII. I sang his name instead of a song, Leave a comment on line 78 0
¶ 79       Over and over I sang his name, Leave a comment on line 79 0
¶ 80     Upward and downward I drew it along Leave a comment on line 80 0
¶ 81       My various notes, — the same, the same! Leave a comment on line 81 0
¶ 82     I sang it low, that the slave-girls near Leave a comment on line 82 0
¶ 83     Might never guess, from aught they could hear, Leave a comment on line 83 0
¶ 84       It was only a name — a name. Leave a comment on line 84 0

¶ 85 XIII. I look on the sky and the sea. Leave a comment on line 85 0
¶ 86       We were two to love, and two to pray: Leave a comment on line 86 0
¶ 87     Yes, two, O God, who cried to Thee, Leave a comment on line 87 0
¶ 88       Though nothing didst Thou say! Leave a comment on line 88 0
¶ 89     Coldly Thou sat’st behind the sun: Leave a comment on line 89 0
¶ 90     And now I cry who am but one, Leave a comment on line 90 0
¶ 91       Thou wilt not speak to-day. Leave a comment on line 91 0

¶ 92 XIV. We were black, we were black, Leave a comment on line 92 0
¶ 93       We had no claim to love and bliss, Leave a comment on line 93 0
¶ 94     What marvel if each went to wrack? Leave a comment on line 94 0
¶ 95       They wrung my cold hands out of his, Leave a comment on line 95 0
¶ 96     They dragged him — where? I crawled to touch Leave a comment on line 96 0
¶ 97     His blood’s mark in the dust … not much, Leave a comment on line 97 0
¶ 98       Ye pilgrim-souls, though plain as this! Leave a comment on line 98 0

¶ 99 XV. Wrong, followed by a deeper wrong! Leave a comment on line 99 0
¶ 100       Mere grief’s too good for such as I: Leave a comment on line 100 0
¶ 101     So the white men brought the shame ere long Leave a comment on line 101 0
¶ 102       To strangle the sob of my agony. Leave a comment on line 102 0
¶ 103     They would not leave me for my dull Leave a comment on line 103 0
¶ 104     Wet eyes! — it was too merciful Leave a comment on line 104 0
¶ 105       To let me weep pure tears and die. Leave a comment on line 105 0

¶ 106 XVI. I am black, I am black! Leave a comment on line 106 0
¶ 107       I wore a child upon my breast, Leave a comment on line 107 0
¶ 108     An amulet that hung too slack, Leave a comment on line 108 0
¶ 109       And, in my unrest, could not rest: Leave a comment on line 109 0
¶ 110     Thus we went moaning, child and mother, Leave a comment on line 110 0
¶ 111     One to another, one to another, Leave a comment on line 111 0
¶ 112       Until all ended for the best. Leave a comment on line 112 0

¶ 113 XVII. For hark! I will tell you low, low, Leave a comment on line 113 0
¶ 114       I am black, you see, — Leave a comment on line 114 0
¶ 115     And the babe who lay on my bosom so, Leave a comment on line 115 0
¶ 116       Was far too white, too white for me; Leave a comment on line 116 0
¶ 117     As white as the ladies who scorned to pray Leave a comment on line 117 0
¶ 118     Beside me at church but yesterday, Leave a comment on line 118 0
¶ 119       Though my tears had washed a place for my knee. Leave a comment on line 119 0

¶ 120 XVIII. My own, own child! I could not bear Leave a comment on line 120 0
¶ 121       To look in his face, it was so white; Leave a comment on line 121 0
¶ 122     I covered him up with a kerchief there, Leave a comment on line 122 0
¶ 123       I covered his face in close and tight: Leave a comment on line 123 0
¶ 124     And he moaned and struggled, as well might be, Leave a comment on line 124 0
¶ 125     For the white child wanted his liberty — Leave a comment on line 125 0
¶ 126       Ha, ha! he wanted the master-right. Leave a comment on line 126 0

¶ 127 XIX. He moaned and beat with his head and feet, Leave a comment on line 127 0
¶ 128       His little feet that never grew; Leave a comment on line 128 0
¶ 129     He struck them out, as it was meet, Leave a comment on line 129 0
¶ 130       Against my heart to break it through: Leave a comment on line 130 0
¶ 131     I might have sung and made him mild, Leave a comment on line 131 0
¶ 132     But I dared not sing to the white-faced child Leave a comment on line 132 0
¶ 133       The only song I knew. Leave a comment on line 133 0

¶ 134 XX. I pulled the kerchief very close: Leave a comment on line 134 0
¶ 135       He could not see the sun, I swear, Leave a comment on line 135 0
¶ 136     More, then, alive, than now he does Leave a comment on line 136 0
¶ 137       From between the roots of the mango … where? Leave a comment on line 137 0
¶ 138     I know where. Close! A child and mother Leave a comment on line 138 0
¶ 139     Do wrong to look at one another Leave a comment on line 139 0
¶ 140       When one is black and one is fair. Leave a comment on line 140 0

¶ 141 XXI. Why, in that single glance I had Leave a comment on line 141 0
¶ 142       Of my child’s face, … I tell you all, Leave a comment on line 142 0
¶ 143     I saw a look that made me mad! Leave a comment on line 143 0
¶ 144       The master’s look, that used to fall Leave a comment on line 144 0
¶ 145     On my soul like his lash … or worse! Leave a comment on line 145 0
¶ 146     And so, to save it from my curse, Leave a comment on line 146 0
¶ 147       I twisted it round in my shawl. Leave a comment on line 147 0

¶ 148 XXII. And he moaned and trembled from foot to head, Leave a comment on line 148 0
¶ 149       He shivered from head to foot; Leave a comment on line 149 0
¶ 150     Till after a time, he lay instead Leave a comment on line 150 0
¶ 151       Too suddenly still and mute. Leave a comment on line 151 0
¶ 152     I felt, beside, a stiffening cold: Leave a comment on line 152 0
¶ 153     I dared to lift up just a fold, Leave a comment on line 153 0
¶ 154       As in lifting a leaf of the mango-fruit. Leave a comment on line 154 0

¶ 155 XXIII. But my fruit … ha, ha! — there, had been Leave a comment on line 155 0
¶ 156       (I laugh to think on ‘t at this hour!) Leave a comment on line 156 0
¶ 157     Your fine white angels (who have seen Leave a comment on line 157 0
¶ 158       Nearest the secret of God’s power) Leave a comment on line 158 0
¶ 159     And plucked my fruit to make them wine, Leave a comment on line 159 0
¶ 160     And sucked the soul of that child of mine Leave a comment on line 160 0
¶ 161       As the humming-bird sucks the soul of the flower. Leave a comment on line 161 0

¶ 162 XXIV. Ha, ha, the trick of the angels white! Leave a comment on line 162 0
¶ 163       They freed the white child’s spirit so. Leave a comment on line 163 0
¶ 164     I said not a word, but day and night Leave a comment on line 164 0
¶ 165       I carried the body to and fro, Leave a comment on line 165 0
¶ 166     And it lay on my heart like a stone, as chill. Leave a comment on line 166 0
¶ 167      — The sun may shine out as much as he will: Leave a comment on line 167 0
¶ 168       I am cold, though it happened a month ago. Leave a comment on line 168 0

¶ 169 XXV. From the white man’s house, and the black man’s hut, Leave a comment on line 169 0
¶ 170       I carried the little body on; Leave a comment on line 170 0
¶ 171     The forest’s arms did round us shut, Leave a comment on line 171 0
¶ 172       And silence through the trees did run: Leave a comment on line 172 0
¶ 173     They asked no question as I went, Leave a comment on line 173 0
¶ 174     They stood too high for astonishment, Leave a comment on line 174 0
¶ 175       They could see God sit on his throne. Leave a comment on line 175 0

¶ 176 XXVI. My little body, kerchiefed fast, Leave a comment on line 176 0
¶ 177       I bore it on through the forest, on; Leave a comment on line 177 0
¶ 178     And when I felt it was tired at last, Leave a comment on line 178 0
¶ 179       I scooped a hole beneath the moon: Leave a comment on line 179 0
¶ 180     Through the forest-tops the angels far, Leave a comment on line 180 0
¶ 181     With a white sharp finger from every star, Leave a comment on line 181 0
¶ 182       Did point and mock at what was done. Leave a comment on line 182 0

¶ 183 XXVII. Yet when it was all done aught, — Leave a comment on line 183 0
¶ 184       Earth, ‘twixt me and my baby, strewed, — Leave a comment on line 184 0
¶ 185     All, changed to black earth, — nothing white, — Leave a comment on line 185 0
¶ 186       A dark child in the dark! — ensued Leave a comment on line 186 0
¶ 187     Some comfort, and my heart grew young; Leave a comment on line 187 0
¶ 188     I sate down smiling there and sung Leave a comment on line 188 0
¶ 189       The song I learnt in my maidenhood. Leave a comment on line 189 0

¶ 190 XXVIII. And thus we two were reconciled, Leave a comment on line 190 0
¶ 191       The white child and black mother, thus; Leave a comment on line 191 0
¶ 192     For as I sang it soft and wild, Leave a comment on line 192 0
¶ 193       The same song, more melodious, Leave a comment on line 193 0
¶ 194     Rose from the grave whereon I sate Leave a comment on line 194 0
¶ 195     It was the dead child singing that, Leave a comment on line 195 0
¶ 196       To join the souls of both of us. Leave a comment on line 196 0

¶ 197 XXIX. I look on the sea and the sky. Leave a comment on line 197 0
¶ 198       Where the pilgrims’ ships first anchored lay Leave a comment on line 198 0
¶ 199     The free sun rideth gloriously, Leave a comment on line 199 0
¶ 200       But the pilgrim-ghosts have slid away Leave a comment on line 200 0
¶ 201     Through the earliest streaks of the morn: Leave a comment on line 201 0
¶ 202     My face is black, but it glares with a scorn Leave a comment on line 202 0
¶ 203       Which they dare not meet by day. Leave a comment on line 203 0

¶ 204 XXX. Ha! — in their stead, their hunter sons! Leave a comment on line 204 0
¶ 205       Ha, ha! they are on me — they hunt in a ring! Leave a comment on line 205 0
¶ 206     Keep off! I brave you all at once, Leave a comment on line 206 0
¶ 207       I throw off your eyes like snakes that sting! Leave a comment on line 207 0
¶ 208     You have killed the black eagle at nest, I think: Leave a comment on line 208 0
¶ 209     Did you ever stand still in your triumph, and shrink Leave a comment on line 209 0
¶ 210       From the stroke of her wounded wing? Leave a comment on line 210 0

¶ 211 XXXI. (Man, drop that stone you dared to lift! — ) Leave a comment on line 211 0
¶ 212       I wish you who stand there five abreast. Leave a comment on line 212 0
¶ 213     Each, for his own wife’s joy and gift, Leave a comment on line 213 0
¶ 214       A little corpse as safely at rest Leave a comment on line 214 0
¶ 215     As mine in the mangoes! Yes, but she Leave a comment on line 215 0
¶ 216     May keep live babies on her knee, Leave a comment on line 216 0
¶ 217       And sing the song she likes the best. Leave a comment on line 217 0

¶ 218 XXXII. I am not mad: I am black. Leave a comment on line 218 0
¶ 219       I see you staring in my face — Leave a comment on line 219 0
¶ 220     I know you staring, shrinking back, Leave a comment on line 220 0
¶ 221       Ye are born of the Washington-race, Leave a comment on line 221 0
¶ 222     And this land is the free America, Leave a comment on line 222 0
¶ 223     And this mark on my wrist — (I prove what I say) Leave a comment on line 223 0
¶ 224       Ropes tied me up here to the flogging-place. Leave a comment on line 224 0

¶ 225 XXXIII. You think I shrieked then? Not a sound! Leave a comment on line 225 0
¶ 226       I hung, as a gourd hangs in the sun; Leave a comment on line 226 0
¶ 227     I only cursed them all around Leave a comment on line 227 0
¶ 228       As softly as I might have done Leave a comment on line 228 0
¶ 229     My very own child: from these sands Leave a comment on line 229 0
¶ 230     Up to the mountains, lift your hands, Leave a comment on line 230 0
¶ 231       O slaves, and end what I begun! Leave a comment on line 231 0

¶ 232 XXXIV. Whips, curses; these must answer those! Leave a comment on line 232 0
¶ 233       For in this UNION you have set Leave a comment on line 233 0
¶ 234     Two kinds of men in adverse rows, Leave a comment on line 234 0
¶ 235       Each loathing each; and all forget Leave a comment on line 235 0
¶ 236     The seven wounds in Christ’s body fair, Leave a comment on line 236 0
¶ 237     While HE sees gaping everywhere Leave a comment on line 237 0
¶ 238       Our countless wounds that pay no debt. Leave a comment on line 238 0

¶ 239 XXXV. Our wounds are different. Your white men Leave a comment on line 239 0
¶ 240       Are, after all, not gods indeed, Leave a comment on line 240 0
¶ 241     Nor able to make Christs again Leave a comment on line 241 0
¶ 242       Do good with bleeding. We who bleed Leave a comment on line 242 0
¶ 243     (Stand off!) we help not in our loss! Leave a comment on line 243 0
¶ 244     We are too heavy for our cross, Leave a comment on line 244 0
¶ 245       And fall and crush you and your seed. Leave a comment on line 245 0

¶ 246 XXXVI. I fall, I swoon! I look at the sky. Leave a comment on line 246 0
¶ 247       The clouds are breaking on my brain Leave a comment on line 247 0
¶ 248     I am floated along, as if I should die Leave a comment on line 248 0
¶ 249       Of liberty’s exquisite pain. Leave a comment on line 249 0
¶ 250     In the name of the white child waiting for me Leave a comment on line 250 0
¶ 251     In the death-dark where we may kiss and agree, Leave a comment on line 251 0
¶ 252     White men, I leave you all curse-free Leave a comment on line 252 0
¶ 253       In my broken heart’s disdain! Leave a comment on line 253 0