Born in Gambia in western Africa, PHILLIS WHEATLEY (c. 1753-1784) became the first African American to publish a work of literature, and only the second woman in America to publish a book of poems. She was taken from Africa as a slave at age seven or eight and was sold to John and Susanna Wheatley of Boston in July 1761. She published her first poem in the Newport Mercury in 1767, and thereafter continued to write poetry - mostly elegies of personal acquaintances and prominent individuals. By the early 1770s, Wheatley had mastered eighteenth-century poetic form, but her verse clearly reflects an integration of African, European, and American influences. In 1773, after considerable controversy among Boston's leading men over the authenticity of her manuscript, Wheatley sailed to London to seek support for her first collection of poetry, which was published under the title Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. Shortly thereafter, she earned her freedom and returned to America. Combining religious imagery and political patriotism, the following poems reflect both the drive for American independence and the strong desire among blacks to be free. Widely regarded as the "founding mother" of African-American literature, Wheatley's poetry remains a powerful testament to the possibilities of black literary achievement under slavery.
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To His Excellency General Washington
Sir,
I have taken the freedom to address your Excellency in the enclosed poem, and entreat your acceptance, though I am not insensible of its inaccuracies. Your being appointed to the Grand Continental Congress to be Generalissimo of the armies of North America, together with the fame of your virtues, excite sensations not easy to suppress. Your generosity, therefore, I presume, will pardon the attempt. Wishing your Excellency all possible success in the great cause you are so generously engaged in. I am, Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant,
Phillis Wheatley
1776
Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light,
Columbia's scenes of glorious tolls I write.
While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,
She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.
See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan,
And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!
See the bright beams of heaven's revolving light
Involved in sorrows and veil of night!
The goddess comes, she moves divinely fair,
Olive and laurel bind her golden hair:
Wherever shines this native of the skies,
Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise.
Muse! bow propitious while my pen relates
How pour her armies through a thousand gates,
As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms,
Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms;
Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar,
The refluent surges beat the sounding shore;
Or thick as leaves in Autumn's golden reign,
Such, and so many, moves the warrior's train.
In bright array they seek the work of war,
Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air.
Shall I to Washington their praise recite?
Enough thou know'st them in the fields of flight.
Thee, first in peace and honours, - we demand
The grace and glory of thy martial band.
Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more,
Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!
One century scarce perform'd its destined round,
While Gallic powers Columbia's fury found;
And so may you, whoever dares disgrace
The land of freedom's heaven-defended race!
Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales,
For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails.
Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,
While round increase the rising hills of dead.
Ah! cruel blindness to Columbia's state!
Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late.
Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,
Thy ev'ry action let the goddess guide.
A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,
With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! be thine.