文档介绍：RELIGIOUS AND MORAL POEMS
RELIGIOUS AND
MORAL POEMS
PHILLIS WHEATLEY
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RELIGIOUS AND MORAL POEMS
PREFACE.
THE following POEMS were written originally for the Amusement of
the Author, as they were the Products of her leisure Moments. She had no
Intention ever to have published them; nor would they now have made
their Appearance, but at the Importunity of many of her best, and most
generous Friends; to whom she considers herself, as under the greatest
Obligations.
As her Attempts in Poetry are now sent into the World, it is hoped the
Critic will not severely censure their Defects; and we presume they have
too much Merit to be cast aside with Con- tempt, as worthless and trifling
Effu- sions. As to the Disadvantages she has la- boured under, with Regard
to Learn- ing, nothing needs to be offered, as her Master's Letter in the
following Page will sufficiently show the Difficulties in this Respect she
had to encounter.
With all their Imperfections, the Poems are now humbly submitted to
the Perusal of the Public.
The following is a Copy of a LETTER sent by the Author's Master to
the Publisher.
PHILLIS was brought from Africa to Ame- rica, in the Year 1761,
between seven and eight Years of Age. Without any Assist- ance from
School Education, and by only what she was taught in the Family, she, in
sixteen Months Time from her Arrival, at- tained the English language, to
which she was an utter Stranger before, to such a de- gree, as to read any,
the most difficult Parts of the Sacred Writings, to the great Asto- nishment
of all who heard her.
As to her WRITING, her own Curiosity led her to it; and this she
learnt in so short a Time, that in the Year 1765, she wrote a Letter to the
Rev. Mr. , the Indian Minister, while in England.
She has a great Inclination to learn the Latin Tongue, and has made
some Progress in it. This Relation is given by her Master who bought her,
and with whom she now lives.
JOHN WHEATLEY.
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RELIGIOUS