The Slave's Friend

10 slave’s friend. (150 But you have teachers every day, And much you learn, at least you may; They teach you to be good and wise, But my hard lot this boon denies. Dear, good young master, pray attend; You can poor friendless black .befriend; Neglected, ignorant, and rude, I fain would learn, would fain be good; Oh teach me part of what you know, You will not lose what you bestow; And if a slave I still must be, Oh let my mind at least be free. I heard your kind mamma one day A little lesson bid you say; She bid you fix it in your heart, Nor ever from its law depart; “Be you to others kind and true, As you’d have others be to you.” As you repeated what she taught, My ear, my heart, the lesson caught; And will he make this rule his guide ? “ He will—he must”—my heart replied; And oh I what joy to all my race, When all of his this rule embrace! Now, dear young master, what would you, Were our lots changed, wish me to do ? W, M,

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