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University of Virginia Library

Blackberries

by William Allingham

Allingham, William (1824-1889)

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[Ill folk I shun, or fight against: what can]

[The woe of the False Teacher—This]

[Shame upon those who poison youth]

To Certain Persons calling themselves “Christians.”

[If you believed, loud Sir, some decent part]

[Would'st argue upon equal terms with me?]

[“An infidel!” you shout: I have, 'tis true]

[Is it right, on a solemn day]

[O wretched man! who, while his soul is green]

[Clergy to guide poor us are given]

[In sacred reverie and sublime delight]

[The Wisest Living Mortal—Oh]

[As rafter rafter serves to prop]

[Every word your Oracle saith]

[Assuredly, God's word is true]

[Ostrichio's soul's digestion is so good]

[Peter's a madman, John agrees]

[How mysteries attract!]

[What do your dogmas? Mix dispute and doubt]

[Great Saint, how we've misused thy fame]

To a Controversialist.

[The modern plea for keeping up a Creed—]

[We don't believe it: but let it be.]

['Twere well, in sooth]

[Fain would I seek the City of Truth]

[I believe without bother]

[We hate thee, solemn Public Liar]

[Young Mother, with thy babe at rest]

[Yea, Raffael! Michael Angelo! your hands]

[Dogmatic Christians, one and all]

[All “Christian virtues” I rejoice to greet.]

[“Art Faith's Apostle? Can'st thou save us?”—No.]

[A pseudo-religion suits most people best]

[This World is made to no man's mind]

[Remember this, Lover of truth and right]

[“If you shake these dogmas you shake morality with them.” Yea.]

[Religion—what a labyrinthine mesh!]

[The New Religion will include]

[Long time amongst the thorns I dwelt]

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31

[Shame upon those who poison youth]

Shame upon those who poison youth
By mixing falsehood with every truth.
Shame! shame! whatever their name;
And the deepest curse for the highest claim!