HIS ANCESTRY

Tribe surnamed the Arradas, A
Sojourned for years, on Africa's
Southwestern coast.
Men of physique and strength of mind,
Excelling others of their kind
Among a host.

Gaou-Gwinou, the chieftain's heir,
Hunting the wild beast in his lair,
With ruthless hand,
Was seized, and hurried to the hold
Of a black ship, thence to be sold
By slaver band.

For Hayti's Isle, the ship was bound,
Which years before the Spaniards found —
Luxuriant, fair.
The land was rich in fruit and flower,
Mountains and valleys — Nature's dower!
Oh! beauty rare!
...

Gaou-Gwinou was purchased here
By a French prince, and many a year
He spent — a slave —
Upon the Breda property;
And there he reared a family
And made his grave.