A Blackman's Dream

A.D. 1795

 One night I thought a vision brought

Me to a spacious plain,

Where in its center stood a mount,

Whose top I wished to gain;

Orange, Blue, and Purple too;

Were given me to wear,

And for to see the mystery,

They did me thus prepare.

My guide a pack on my back –

With pillars of an arch – 

A staff and script placed in my hand,

And thus I on did march,

Thought desert lands I traveled o’er,

And the narrow road I trod,

Til something did obstruct my path,

In the form of a toad.

So then I saw what did me awe,

Though wandering in a dream –

A flaming bush, though unconsumed,

Before me did remain;

And as I stood out of the wood

I heard a heavenly sound,

Which bade me cast my shoes away,

For it was holy ground.     

Two men I saw, with weapons keen,

Which did me sore annoy –

Unto a pyramid I ran

That standing was hard by;

And as I climbed the narrow way,

A hand I there did see,

Which laid the lofty mountains

In the scale of equity.

Blue, Gold, and Black about my neck,

This apparition placed –

Into a chariot I was put,

Where we drove off in haste;

Twelve dazzling lights of beauty bright

Were brought to guide my way,

And as we drove thro' cypress shades

One of them did decay.

Near to a mount I saw a fount

Of living water flow;

I being dry, they did reply,

To drink you there may go.

The mystic cup I then took up

And drank a health to all,

That were born free and kept their knee

From bowing unto Baal.