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The poetical works of Thomas Chatterton (1878)
The poetical works of Thomas Chatterton - 1878 Author:Thomas Chatterton Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: APOSTATE WILL.i In days of old, when Wesley's power Gathered new strength by every hour; Apostate Will, just sunk in trade, Resolved his bargain should be mad... more »e; Then straight to Wesley he repairs, And puts on grave and solemn airs ; 1 This poem is transcribed, says Sir Herbert Croft, from an old pocketbook in his mother's possession. It appears to be his first, perhaps his only copy of it; and is evidently his handwriting. By the date, Iie was eleven years and almost five months old. It is not the most extraordinary performance in the world: but, from the circumstance of Chatterton'3 parentage and edncation, it is unlikely, if not impossible, that he should have met with any assistance or correction; whereas, when we read the ode which Pope wrote at twelve, and another of Cowlev at thirteen, we are apt to suspect a parent, friend, or tutor of an amiable dishonesty, of which we feel, perhaps, that we should be guilty. Suspicions of this nature tonch not Chatterton. He knew no tusor, no friend, no parent—at least no parent who could correct or assist him. This poem appears to have been aimed at somebody, who had formerly been a Methodist. and was lately promoted (to the dignity, perhaps, of opening n pew or a grave; for Chatterton was the sexton's nephew) in the established church. Love And Madness. Then thus the pious man addressed. Good sir, I think your doctrine best; Your servant will a Wesley be, Therefore the principles teach me. The preacher then instruetions gave, How he in this world should behave : He hL-ars, assents, and gives a nod, Says every word's the word of God, Then lifting his dissembling eyes, How blessed is the sect! he cries ; Nor Bingham, Young, nor Stillingfleet, Shall make me from this sect retreat. He then his circumstance declared, How hard...« less