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To a Lady who desired me to pray           Mary's Page
for the death of my youngest child

Poems of a Nottingham Lace-Runner

 

Fair lady, when you me advis'd,
    To pray Heaven my baby to take,
I acquainted the Muse, and she could not refuse,
    But send you a line for its sake.


She thought it was hard for the poor little bairn,
    Who had always good humour display'd;
And not for a moment, though much put about, 
    The least discontent had betray'd.

The great Author who sent it below,
    Will take care that `tis clothed and fed:
How hard I should think its death-blow,
    For wanting a morsel of bread.

Though entirely destitute I,
    Or e'en cast in a desert so wild,
Shall I dare to presumptuously cry-
    0! take from my bosom my child?

No.—For the dear babe at my breast,
    Each storm I'll so willingly weather:
Her innocent smile shall my troubles beguile,
    And make poverty light as a feather.

                                  17

 

 

 

 

                          Contents

 

 

Introduction                             7

 

To the Reader                           12

 

To the Critics                          13

 

To a Lady who visited the author   when she was in great distress       14

 

To a Lady who desired me to pray   for the death of youngest child      17

 

Petition to the British Fair            19

 

On the Death of the Revd. Dr. Wylde,    late of Nottingham                   21

 

Address to the Ladies                   23

 

Ode to Hope                             25

 

Lines, Written in July, on Widow    Hind's garden, at  Hints, in    Staffordshire                       26

 


Poetic Letter                           28

 

The Locust                              29

 

Lines On the Death of a Gentleman    of Basford                          31  

 

Lines Written to a Gentleman who     asked the author to write some    Verses on a young Lady, but who    afterwards altered his mind         33

 

The Author to Her Infant Twins          35

 

Subscribers' Names                      36

 

Appendix: Mary Bailey's Obituary        37

 

Notes                                   38

 

Further Reading                         40

 

Index of titles and first lines         42

 

---oOo---

 

[Work in Progess]

 

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