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The Locust                                   Mary's Page

 

[Work in Progess]

 

POEMS OF A NOTTINGHAM LACE-RUNNER
THE LOCUST
Dear Sally and Ann, I've a sad tale to tell;
I'm sure you'll be grieved when you hear: This moment my heart with sorrow doth swell,
And I scarce can help shedding a tear.
Just now, of an errand, you know I have run;
And as I through the Market-place came, I heard a young lady exclaim—what nice fun:
Pray, Eliza, do you like the game?
Very much, said Eliza, 'tis better, I'm sure,
Than running about till we're hot;
For the heat, love, you know, is so hard to endure;
And I'm glad this plaything we've got.
But what was the sight, that did so much delight;
Dear sisters, I tremble to tell;—
'Twas a poor little locust, pierc'd through with a pin,
That into their cruel hands fell.
The agonies keen, the poor insect did feel,
The young ladies did highly delight,
While quick it turn'd round on the sad galling pin,
And the thread it endeavour'd to bite.
For shame! let it go, then I eagerly cried:
Can you be so cruel as this?
And look at your bonnets and pretty white frocks,
And, remember, at school you're call'd Miss.
29

 

 

                          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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