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University of Virginia Library

Blackberries

by William Allingham

Allingham, William (1824-1889)

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[Where is the wise and just man? where]

[Fair houses in my walks I see]

[They are my friends]

[We only touch by surfaces]

[One with one, not overheard]

[I am not shock'd by failings in my friend]

[For thinking, one; for converse, two, no more]

[It is not you, my Foe, I fear]

[From the little that's shown]

[In argument it oft betides]

[Solitude is very sad]

[Little care I for the faults of the small]

[Limited each is: but—O dear!]

[O great one! O mighty one!—]

[Unless you are growing wise and good]

[His way of life was zig-zag still]

[Well for the man whom sickness makes more tender]

[The spiteful dart]

[The weak have no opinions; and the strong]

[By making our trials and sorrows known]

[Some win our gratitude merely by living]

[A hope that we are taught to prize]

[“Old Friend?”—For many years, I wis]

[While friends we were, the hot debates]

[If he draw you aside from your proper end]

[Dear Friend, so much admired, so oft desired]

[I'll make it part of my life's plan]

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[How easily go things astray!]

How easily go things astray!
“Some impish mischief works” we say,
“Is life's law in a tangle?”—nay;
'Tis we who do not law obey.