Conquest Of Prejudice

Unto a Yorkshire school was sent A negro youth to learn to write, And the first day young Juba went All gazed on him as a rare sight. But soon with altered looks askance They view his sable face and form, When they perceive the scornful glance Of the head boy, young Henry Orme. He in the school was first in fame: Said he, 'It does to me appear To be a great disgrace and shame A black should be admitted here.' His words were quickly whispered round, And every boy now looks offended; The master saw the change, and found That Orme a mutiny intended. Said he to Orme, 'This African It seems is not by you approved; I'll find a way, young Englishman, To have this prejudice removed. 'Nearer acquaintance possibly May make you tolerate his hue; At least 'tis my intent to try What a short month may chance to do.' Young Orme and Juba then he led Into a room, in which there were For each of the two boys a bed, A table, and a wicker chair. He locked them in, secured the key, That all access to them was stopt; They from without can nothing see; Their food is through a skylight dropt. A month in this lone chamber Orme Is sentenced during all that time To view no other face or form Than Juba's parched by Afric clime. One word they neither of them spoke The first three days of the first week; On the fourth day the ice was broke; Orme was the first that deigned to speak. The dreary silence o'er, both glad To hear of human voice the sound, The negro and the English lad Comfort in mutual converse found. Of ships and seas and foreign coast Juba can speak, for he has been A voyager: and Orme can boast He London's famous town has seen. In eager talk they pass the day, And borrow hours even from the night; So pleasantly time passed away, That they have lost their reckoning quite. And when their master set them free, They thought a week was sure remitted, And thanked him that their liberty Had been before the time permitted. Now Orme and Juba are good friends; The school, by Orme's example won, Contend who most shall make amends For former slights to Afric's son.