Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-03
LIE pEFESDENDo.


The following poem was written 20 Miss A F.
:, who told the author that she had been in
ormeo that ne (the author was once
M0NOMANIAc.
Sweet spirit, men once said my mind,
Us pa iance mere on earth had lost;
Ana Ike a Chartless ship all blind,
upon shoreless ocean tossed
might 10 this lend solemn heed
: nd not protest the charge with tears
~HS dt not count each day and deed
when constitutes my vanished years.
Enough from the mystic chain Of life
csnnot find one missing link,
-1 = ,-om ne springs of human strife
Let those who 7eeI IN (.
Ny heart because I'm sometimes sad
And ii at ease, bear what I've borne
And they will all be raging mad.
Ny splendid hopes they sought to sink
, Meath Ruins rank and rlshy fen,
That for myself dared to think
Beyond the sphere of common men.
In empty mirth took no pride.
v hnd Wspurned the names on Vices roll,
Wnlle Virtue was my noble guide,
And.Truth the magnet of my soul.
And renowned no lofty aim,
but cnose tnat men should blight my youth
BY branding with mailman s name
not TOOL VINO fears the light of truth.
VI them hurled away each thought,
Each image from my bosom cleft,
And when this change proudly wrought,
No vacancy within was left.
When thus disdainful repealed
m, me me iancea poised my hopes to Stay,
They told the world my bosom held
heart to sighted love prey;
But, angel. know this were not true
l would have scorned so base shrine,
NOT mad fc und among that crew
soul thst would have eQualed mine.
Yet those who said that was mad
Ny grasp on Glory's chain TO break,
Like Yulturss Ger the graveless dead
They follow still my weary wake.
Let envlous tongues speak what they may,
NO DAY Will ind me standing still
While Conscience says there's room for me
On.tames eternal tenting hill.
Had been mad now could smile,
And say when hends my spirit chased
found one fair and friendly isle
Upon that dark and awful waste.
When deserted thy pity true,
To fsasf o6 sou e se dsaeng hack
On reasons long deserted track.
Then fear not would do the wrong,
Though hatred reveled in my braiR,
I'd crush my soul, or, curb my tongue,
To spare thee but one hour Of pain,
For that pure pity thou hast shown
To him. whom enyious hearts reviled,
May angels claim thee as their own
And tend thee as their fairest child.
And though our lives may drift apart.
Like barks upon the restless sea,
constant JOY will thrill my heart
Spare all thy tears, though wasting blight
Should plunge me into human woe,
And though my life be black as night,
Keep thine as white as trackless snow.
And when this form is laid to rest
My soul from earthly tumult fed,
I'll love thy spirit 'mong the best
Where none will dare to call mad.
And il within that home of bliss,
Thou didst not all my glory snare,
I'D crave a stormy life like this.
Because I'd not be happy there.
Hepeefoith TN teach my soul
Mems mputations dark TO spuru;
Though they may keep me from my goal,
To theirs they cannot make turn.
I'll teach to those lesson yet e.
Who pant with me for glory's prize;
When envy's heel is on them set,
IN try 70 teach them how to rise.
Before I'll be a cringing slave
In secret paths alone I'll tread
And bear my sorrow 10 the grave,
Aud leave 1t with the speechless dead.
And when my spirits housed on high,
My heart will never more be sad;
The gmndest thoughts of Heaven III try
AndaDgels will not call me mad
DIR. HENRY PRESCOTT WEBB.
ABERDEEN, MISS October %, 1851