Login
Get your free website from Spanglefish
This is a free Spanglefish 2 website.

Ode to Hope

                                  Mary's Page

 

[Work in Progess]


POEMS OF A NOTTINGHAM LACE-RUNNER
ODE TO HOPE
When drear misfortune crowds each prospect here,
And gives to every painful feeling birth;
What is it then my drooping heart can cheer,
And is my only solace upon the earth?—
'Tis Hope.
Though keen affliction scarce a day omits,
But pays continual visits to my home;
What my weak shoulders to the burden fits,
And, flatt'ring, whispers better days to come?—
'Tis Hope.
When poverty's sharp arrows pierce my soul,
And bid me rapid to destruction fly;
What, instantly the rashest thoughts controul,
And bid me on her promises rely?—
'Tis Hope.
And still deluded on from year to year,
I fondly to the soft deceiver cleave;
And oft she stops my sighs and dries my tears;
Though she but flatter, yet, I still believe—
False Hope.
Trust her not, then, calm reason seems to say,
Her promis'd favours are so seldom given;
And when they are, they're fleeting as the day;
But rather wish to see her crown'd in Heaven;—
Sweet Hope.
24
25

 

 

                          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]

 

Click for Map
sitemap | cookie policy | privacy policy | accessibility statement