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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.
 I. 
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.
 IV. 
Scene IV.
 V. 
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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And ere she well knew what to think or say,
194

He turn'd upon his heel and went away;
While, in a trance of curious, mute surprise,
Up through the croft she track'd him with her eyes,
Beyond the knolls till through the upland gap
His long, black breezy skirts were seen to flap.
And then she sank into her own sad breast,
As to the last extremity distress'd,
All outward trust cut off, the last hope gone,
Her sole reliance in herself alone.
And long she brooded over her despair:—
“If I have but to think his week of prayer
Has brought me peace from Heaven, why might I not
Myself raise comfort by the power of thought?
My thinking or his praying—which, ay which,
It matters not. If I could think me rich,
Believe myself a duchess or a queen,
I should not feel that I am poor and mean;
If I can think away my sins, what need
Of priest or holy church to intercede?”
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