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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.
 I. 
Scene I.
 II. 
Scene II.
 III. 
Scene III.
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ACT III.
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Scene I.
 II. 
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.
 II. 
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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Thus did she by her merchandise provide
The livelihood that never is denied
To honest, careful labour, and could give
A portion to the priest, as well as live.
But here it was her brooding trouble lay;
For left alone all thro' the thoughtful day,
With priestly terrors rankling in her brain,
And penal fears, and everlasting pain,
She conjured up a load of outward sin
Far more than one might carry, and within
A poor, weak, helpless soul. “Alas!” cried she,
“The holy Jesus never comes to me,
To loose me from this burden of my cares;
Nor will, save thro' a world of costly pray'rs:
And what can my small pittance do to bring
A poor old woman to her Lord and King!”
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