Richard Wilson
To S. M. a young African Painter, on seeing his Works
To his Honour the Lieutenant-Governor,
on the Death of his Lady
A Farewel to America
A Rebus by I. B.
An Answer to ditto, by Phillis Wheatley
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON,
THE FOLLOWING
P O E M S
ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.
BY HER MUCH OBLIGED,
VERY HUMBLE
AND DEVOTED SERVANT.
PHILLIS WHEATLEY.
BOSTON, JUNE 12, 1773.
P R E F A C E.
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.
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