Prison Poetry

Oh, that this wicked, wicked world Could boast more such friendly souls! Less lives would be so sadly hurled Into a pit of earthly ghouls, Where nothing's saved, but all is lost;

How deep soever their meaning may lie, Not every soul will pass them by! No anger, nor passion, nor malice so great But a match 'twill meet in a world of hate.

What mighty solons fill your halls of state! (Poor gibbering parrots with an empty pate), Who deem all prisons of but little use Not founded on starvation and abuse. They lock p...

When they sing, such lovely visions seem to rise and grandly float Like the poet's airy mansions, on the wave of each full note! Silvery daybreaks brighten slow; sunsets blush o...

Ye glittering stars! how fair ye shine tonight. And, oh, thou modest moon! thy silvery light Comes streaming through these iron bars before me. How clear and silent is this love...

There stood two glasses, filled to the brim, On a rich man's table, rim to rim, One was ruddy and red as blood, And one as clear as the crystal flood.

Then lionhearted Conway, Beneath whose eagle eye Even savage foes once trembled Was offered up to die! Defiant still 'mid writhing flames, He heaped on them his scorn, And, with...

There's one among them old and gray, Who'd lived right there for all his life; 'Tis the elder man and sage, St. Lawrence, And he smiles upon the Doctor's wife.

If women are not treated with respect, and made to exercise an influence over the social world, the standard of private virtue and public opinion will be lowered, and the morals...

_IN LEISURE MOMENTS CAST A LOOK UPON THE PAGES OF THIS BOOK; AND IF YOUR THOUGHTS THEY SHOULD ENGAGE, JUST THINK OF ME WHO WROTE THIS PAGE. AND IF BY CHANCE, IN YOUR TIME OF LEI...

Go, little book, thy destined course pursue! Collect memorials of the just and true; And beg of every one who comes thou near Some token of their friendship and good cheer. And...