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To Mary Ann [passages copied from several poems, written by an unknown student on November 21, 1790]. HUD 790.2, Harvard University Archives.

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The creator of this document is unknown, though he was presumably a student at Harvard College, as the name of the college appears on the document twice. Both sides of the document are filled with passages of poetry, including one from Tobias George Smollett's "The Adventures of Roderick Random" and another from John Tapner's "A New Collection of Fables in Verse." The creator seems to have intended the document for someone named Mary Ann.

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3 5th

Sweet choristers, still soothe my ear, And let me catch the gentle strain; And while your pleasing songs I hear, I may not listen all in vain.

6th

While [rapture?] swells the notes on high! By nature more than art refin'd; Those notes to moralize I try, And theis express what seems design'd.

7th

"An hor of nature hear my song, "To you I dedicate the day; "To you [?] [?] [?] belong "Than I can either sing or say.

8th

"By you it is I live to sing, "You form'd the hill, the dale, the grove; "By you I now expand the wing, "And through the vast of wither love.

9th

"When I survey the prospect sound "With all thats pleasing, all that's [fair?] "The blushing fields with flowets [?-'d] "Thy glory rises every day.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by jbp
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Left page:

4) 10th "From morning's dawn till Evening shade, " The sun's all bright refulgent ray; "The moon, and countless stars display'd "I view, and raise again the lay.

11th "Omnipotent! great Lord of all, "Regard the feather'd Warbler's song; "Ah! Listen to his humblr call, "Thy kindness still to him prolong.

12th "Oh! guard me from the Fowles [snase?] "And every art to me unknown "[?-ll] make my tender young your case, "While to provide for them I'm flown."

13th If such the language of the grove, And such 'tis sure in natures plan! Ah! why should it so constant prove, Ingratitude belongs to man!

14th Sole Lord of all great Nature yields, With sense and reason for his guide, He thankless views the groves and fields, With vain conceit and foolish pride.

Right page: (Continued) If once you shurn her voice and aid, You'll find yourselves undone, betrayed, Forever by the good discarded, Like spiders only be regarded: ___ 70 To live in fear and restless strife. Mere reptiles for the rest of life.

Harvard College

Harvard College

November 21st. 1790

Last edit almost 4 years ago by jbp
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(seq. 3)

To Mary Ann

Thy fatal shafts unerring move; I bow before thine altar, love! I feel thy soft, resistless flame Glide swift through all my vital frame!

For while I gaze my bosom glows, My blood in tides impetuous flows; Hope, Fear, {and} Joy, alternate [?] And floods of transport whelm my soul!

My faultering tongue attempts in vain In soothing murmurs to complain; My tongue some secret majic ties, My murmurs sink in broken sighs!

Condemn'd to [nurse?] eternal care, And ever drop the silent Tear; Unheard I mourn! Unknown I sigh! Unfriendly live! Unpitied dye!

Finis. November 21st 1790

Last edit almost 4 years ago by lkc
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