an 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 Contempt, as worthless and
trifling Effusions.

As to the Disadvantages she has laboured under, with Regard to Learning,
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 America, in the Year 1761, between
seven and eight Years of Age. Without any Assistance from School
Education, and by only what she was taught in the Family, she, in
sixteen Months Time from her Arrival, attained the English language,
to which she was an utter Stranger before, to such a degree, as to
read any, the most difficult Parts of the Sacred Writings, to the
great Astonishment 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. OCCOM, 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.

Boston, Nov. 14, 1772.

To the PUBLIC.

AS it has been repeatedly suggested to the Publisher, by Persons, who
have seen the M