Wright's Poems
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P
OETICAL
C
OMPOSITIONS
OF
EDWARD DANVILLE WRIGHT,
COMPRISING
POEMS OF BOYHOOD DAYS,
VOICES OF THE HEART,
RELIGIOUS,
SENTIMENTAL, AND
COMICAL POEMS.
--ALSO,--
THE
FEDERAL
SPY, DECEPTION'S
PREY,
AND OTHERS.
---
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR.---
RICHMOND, IND.:M. CULLATON & CO., PRINTERS.
1888.
---
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1888, byEDWARD DANVILLE WRIGHT,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
---
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PREFACE.
---
THE author desires to make no apologies for introducing to the public this little volume of poems. It is purely original, and the sweets gathered from many years' standing. This volume is a treasure-house in itself, and stands unequaled as an embodiment of the ripest thoughts, wisest utter- ances, and the most graphic illustrations and incidents pertain- ing to this life. Its beautiful descriptions of the home beyond, and its relations to earth, he believes will find a sympathetic response from the public. It vividly describes the sufferings of our Savior upon the cross, the patience with which He bore His crucifixion, and the surpassing manner in which He stilled the waves on Galilee.
The names used by the author in this work are merely fictitious, as many of the circumstances which gave rise to this line of thought are incidents that have transpired under his own observation. For the first time have been brought together in such prominence, on the engrossing theme of the future life, the views of one who has endeavored to portray the beauties of heaven.
No subject is of such paramount or absorbing interest to man as that of death and the future life. "If a man die, shall he live again?" is the question springing from every heart and page: 6[View Page 6] trembling on every lip. The aim of the author of this book of poems has been to set forth, through his best ability, the grand truth of immortality, and the reality and glory of the home in heaven.
To any one who is beset with doubts and fears, it will prove an armory from which bright and shining weapons can be taken to put to flight these enemies of their comfort and peace. It will be precious solace to those who are laying away to rest the loved of their homes and hearts. It will help their faith, lift up the tearful eye to the land of beauty, bountifulness and blessedness, where the redeemed walk in white. It will stimu- late them to lead better lives on earth, that they may, through the grace of God, secure at last, the rest and rewards of heaven.
THE AUTHOR.
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POEM.
- MYcasket of gems, I lay them here
- In love, on Freedom's hallowed shrine,
- With a heart as true, sincere,
- As a bard of lore divine.
- They are not perfect; Perfection, nay!
- Belongs not to the human race;
- For need we soar the starry way
- To draft the sweets of nature's grace ?
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AN ACROSTIC.
- EVERY thought that germinates
- Deep in the human breast,
- Will shine if it but concentrates
- Around authentic rest.
- Roam where you will, o'er hill, through dale,
- Despondent o'er life's weary tale.
- Denounced by critics, thus and so,
- As though all other men were right;
- No faults have they, so on they go,
- Valiant in error, to endless night.
- In lieu of this we pen our thoughts,
- Launching them upon life's sea;
- Long may they linger unforgot,
- Emblazoned for eternity.
- We'll wait the harvest, no questions ask,
- Reap our sentence with spirits meek;
- In performance of our task
- God's approval we must seek;
- Honest truth will ever roam
- To guide some weary wanderer home.
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CONTENTS.
1
- PAGE.
- Prelude13
- Admonition18
- The Well of Smyrna21
- The Flowers that Bloom in Childhood's Clime24
- A Vixen Hag27
- A Bereaved Mother29
- The Music Dealer and Clodhopper31
- The Convict's Soliloquy33
- Christian's Armor38
- That Bell of Justice39
- The Resurrection43
- False Friends45
- Home Kindness47
- Beware!48
- An Evening Thought51
- The Tongue of Calumny54
- Our Darling we've Resigned to Rest57
- Response to an Advertisement59
- Of Sweetest Words61
- Returned to Life64
- Our Lost Jewel68
- The Friendship of Friends71
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- PAGE
- My Cherished Flower75
- Tears77
- The Stage Robbery79
- A Federal Spy87
- Only Inside the Beautiful Gates114
- Voices of the Heart.117
- Loved and Lost119
- Life's Most Importance123
- A Prog's Loathing125
- A Dying Boy's Request128
- The Realms of Happiness130
- Don't go too Much on What your Father Says132
- His Last Voyage133
- Charity136
- A Narrow Escape138
- 'T was Years Ago141
- The Old Playground144
- There are Forms with Angel Faces147
- Better than Gold149
- Love and Folly151
- The J. M. White153
- To Speak Something New so Arduous would be158
- Man Little Dreamed160
- Home161
- How Unforgotten170
- The Poet Grasps his Magic Pen174
- Words of a Dying Friend176
- The Last Farewell177
- His Lonely Grave179
- Grandpa and the Little Child187
- Joys Almost Tasted190
- I'm Sorry, my Darling194
- Deception195
- Their Last Fowling196
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- PAGE.
- Deception's Prey198
- The Haven of my Heart209
- Ode210
- Beauty211
- Sonnet212
- Kind Words213
- An Emblem of Peace214
- Returned Compliments215
- The Art of Speech218
- The Slander Fiend220
- What is Life?223
- I Love the Mystic Power of Song224
- The Bashful Lover225
- The Ghohst of Miller's Cove227
- The Love of Song256