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Reuben and Other Poems

by Robert Leighton
Leighton, Robert (1822-1869)

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[Released at last! Released from agony!]
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REUBEN.
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ACT I.
 I. 
Scene I.
 II. 
Scene II.
 III. 
Scene III.
 IV. 
Scene IV.
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ACT II.
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Scene I.
 II. 
Scene II.
 III. 
Scene III.
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ACT III.
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Scene I.
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Scene II.
 III. 
Scene III.
 IV. 
Scene IV.
 V. 
Scene V.
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ACT IV.
 I. 
Scene I.
 II. 
Scene II.
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ACT V.
 I. 
Scene I.
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Scene II.
 III. 
Scene III.
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Scene IV.
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Scene V.
 VI. 
Scene VI.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
  
HOUSE-HUNTING.
  
SIR PETER'S CURE.
  
FORBIDDEN FRUIT.
  
THE ROOKERY.
  
THE WEASEL'S CAIRN.
  
THE LOTTERY TICKET.
  
THE WIDOW AND THE PRIEST.
  
SEVEN CHURCHES OF CLONMACNOISE.
  
THE NEGLECTED CANARY.
  
THE LAIRD OF BRETHERTON.
  
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
  
A' BURDENS ARE LICHT, EXCEPT TO THE BEARER.
  
DRUMM'D OUT.
  
LONDON.
  
THE ALBUM.
  
SONNET.
  
STRATFORD-ON-AVON.
  
TO JANET,
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MUSINGS.
  
TO JANET,
  
SOLITUDE.
  
BOOKS AND THOUGHTS.
  
TOO MANY BOOKS.
  
INCENSE OF FLOWERS.
  
MIND'S SEASONS.
  
THE MYSTERY OF THOUGHT.
  
UNWITTING TRIBUTE.
  
LOGIC.
  
UNCLASSIC.
  
BEAUTY THE FLOWERING OF VIRTUE.
  
THE DANDELION.
  
THOUGHT SPRINGS.
  
USE OF BEAUTY.
  
SEEING.
  
HOPE'S ARGUMENT.
  
THE STREET SINGERS.
  
SELF-DENIAL.
  
FACT AND FICTION.
  
AT THE CHURCH DOOR.
  
PETTY PRIDE.
  
MASTER AND SERVANT.
  
IMAGINATION.
  
1861–62.
  
10TH MARCH, 1863.
  
5TH FEBRUARY, 1868.
  
LIVERPOOL.
  
SAILING UP THE FIRTH.
  
POET'S CORNER.

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SELF-DENIAL.

In whatsoever grade of life he is
That runs the risks of poverty or pelf,
Great independence and great virtue his
Who can deny himself.
How little shall suffice his actual wants!
How small the service he shall ask or need!
The slights of pride he shall not feel; its taunts
Hearing, he shall not heed.
254

To what do all our grievances amount
But mostly to some selfish want refused,
Or petty dignity of no account,
Or appetite abused.
And if this self by self can be denied,
These are but waves that seek to storm the rock:
It slips them back into the passing tide,
And never feels the shock.
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