Lines written to a Gentleman Mary's Page who asked the Author to write
some verses on a young lady, but
who afterwards changed his mind
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POEMS OF A NOTTINGHAM LACE-RUNNER
LINES
WRITTEN TO A GENTLEMAN WHO ASKED THE AUTHOR TO WRITE
SOME VERSES ON A YOUNG LADY, BUT WHO AFTERWARDS ALTERED HIS MIND
One day a poor woman I saw,
As musing she walk'd on the road,
And into our shop she just happen'd to pop,
And a copy of verses she show'd.
I smiled, for you know I admire the art,
And some little attention I paid;
And both father and I condescended to read
The verses this rhymer had made.
Mean elf as I was, for I can't but reflect;
Why what in the world should I do,
But, forgetting to pay you a proper respect,
I ask'd her to write upon you.
As a father afflicted you left,
I knew you had anguish forlorn;
Of one parent already bereft;
And in grief from the other was torn.
If Homer or Virgil I'd summon'd to write;
Or Milton have rais'd from the dead;
Or could but have call'd forth a Byron or White
To have written, dear Miss, in her stead.
32
33
MARY BAILEY
Why then I am sure, you'd have pardon'd the thought,
An would even have read with delight;
But now you'll forgive, as no further 'tis brought,
For I did not permit her to write.
34
Contents
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
Lines, Written in July, on Widow Hind's garden, at Hints, in Staffordshire 26
Lines On the Death of a Gentleman of Basford 31
The Author to Her Infant Twins 35
Appendix: Mary Bailey's Obituary 37
Index of titles and first lines 42
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