Poems on various subjects, religious and moralPhillis Wheatley
Poems on various subjects, religious and moral
Phillis Wheatley
Poetry
Book language: English
60 pages
Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral is a collection of neoclassical verse by Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved African woman in Boston. It gathers religious, moral, elegiac and occasional poems that reflect her faith and learning. It is worth hearing as an early published work of African American literature and for its restrained, thoughtful voice.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
POEMS
ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS,
RELIGIOUS AND MORAL.
By Phillis Wheatley
(Negro Servant To Mr. John Wheatley, Of Boston, In NewEngland)
1771
CONTENTS
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON,
THE FOLLOWING
P O E M S ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. BY HER MUCH OBLIGED, VERY HUMBLE AND DEVOTED SERVANT. PHILLIS WHEATLEY. Boston, June 12, 1771. PREFACE. THE following POEMS were written originally for the Amusement of the Author, as they were the Products of her leisure Moments. She had no Intention ever to have published them; nor would they now have made their Appearance, but at the Importunity of many of her best, and most generous Friends; to whom she considers herself, as under the greatest Obligations. As her Attempts in Poetry are now sent into the World, it is hoped the Critic will not severely censure their Defects; and we presume they have too much Merit to be cast aside with Contempt, as worthless and trifling Effusions. As to the Disadvantages she has laboured under, with Regard to Learning, nothing needs to be offered, as her Master’s Letter in the following Page will sufficiently
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