1836

A Citizen of South Carolina. "Pocahontas: An Extract." The Genius of Erin, Columbia’s Freedom, Flights of Fancy, Lucinda. Charleston, 1836. 81-84. The preface asserts that "the South no less requires a literary, than a commercial independence" and laments that an author, in violation of patriotism and sentiment, must go to New York to publish. It's a matter of the "honor of the South" to produce her "own literature." And what better Southern topic. The moment of truth. Pocahontas, weeping, prays: "Spare, parent, spare -- The warrior begs to spare -- / A friendless stranger on Powhatan's hearth; / Or if you strike the blow -- you cannot tear / My mangled body from this gory earth! / Hark! how the spirit of Powhatan's sire, / Frowns down in wrath from out yon mutt'ring cloud -- / See, see the mighty spirits vengeful fire, / Bursting in awful thunder peals aloud! Slay not the wretch -- slay not the wretch my sire; / But let my life appease the chieftains' ire!"
[poetry]
[Electronic Version]