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University of Virginia Library

Poems, on various subjects

by Ann Yearsley ... being her second work

Yearsley, Ann (1753-1806)

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ADDRESSED TO SENSIBILITY.

ON THE DEATH OF HER GRACE, The Duchess Dowager of PORTLAND.

TO A SENSIBLE BUT PASSIONATE FRIEND.

TO THE BRISTOL MARINE SOCIETY.

FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A FRIEND,

To Mr. V---, On his pronouncing the Author to be in Love, when she wrote the preceding.

EPITAPH, ON THE SUDDEN DEATH OF AN ACCOMPLISHED YOUTH,

ELEGY, Written on the Banks of the Avon, where the Author took a last Farewel of her Brother.

TO MISS ELIZA DAWSON, OF OXTON, YORKSHIRE.

TO INDIFFERENCE.

To those who accuse the Author of Ingratitude.

TO FREDERICK YEARSLEY,

ON THE DEATH OF FREDERICK YEARSLEY.

ODE, TO MISS SHIELLS, ON HER ART OF PAINTING.

Lines, composed in a Carriage, on seeing an Half-blown Primrose in the Mouth of a Peasant; the Author being on the Road to Bath.

To Mr. ---, an unlettered Poet, on GENIUS UNIMPROVED.

ON BEING PRESENTED WITH A SILVER PEN.

ADDRESSED TO IGNORANCE,

ADDRESSED TO REVENGE.

THE MATERIALIST.

ON JEPHTHAH'S VOW,

WRITTEN ON A VISIT.

ELEGY, ON MR. CHATTERTON.

On being introduced to a Gentleman, who had laboured under an Affliction sixteen Years.

ON THE REMEMBRANCE OF A MOTHER.

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105

THE MATERIALIST.

Behold yon wretch with silent horror fill'd,
And sullen in extreme! His doubts are hell,
Whilst each discordant pow'r of his dark soul,
Performs its office but to yield him woe.

Vile ravager of Order! who shall hold
Thy line of false Morality? Who boast
Of Virtues which exist without a cause?

106

Perfection, be it trifling as the mote
Which revels in the Sun-beam, cannot own
Its essence self-originating. Vain
Are all thy pleas to social rules of Man!
Vain are thy toils in Science! Vain the web
Hoary Philosophy shall ever spin,
If, in thy future views, thou ne'er canst form
Some good to hope for!