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MANUSCRIPT POEM.  A Prophet Indeed.

(DICKENS, Charles) (WALFORD, Edward) MANUSCRIPT POEM. A Prophet Indeed. n.p. 1870
46-line manuscript poem, written in black ink in a sloping hand on a single folded leaf, carefully reinforced prior to being written on. With a footnote and the final 12 lines of the poem written vertically. The poem is signed 'E. Walford', and is a draft of the poem that would later appear in the St. James's Magazine.

¶This is the final manuscript draft of Edward Walford's eulogising poem, A Prophet Indeed, written shortly after the death of Charles Dickens. A note at the head of the page indicates 'For the St. James Magazine, new series, vol. V, p533', where it did indeed appear in July 1870. The published version included the parenthetical remark, 'Suggested by Dean Stanley's sermon in Westminster Abbey, June 19, 1870', as well as the footnote, 'It is scarcely necessary to remind the classical reader that the word Prophet... signifies as often one who speaks publicly and teaches as one who foretells events beforehand'. The poem concludes with the lines, 'Say, was he not a "prophet" in his age? Say, knit he not the bonds of human love— The ties of sympathy 'twixt man and man That hold across wide intervening seas? Strange power! mysterious gift! And cometh not Each good and perfect gift from Him alone, The great Creator, Who is "Love" itself, Who made, and keeps, supports, and loves us all?' Edward Walford, 1823-1897, was a clergyman, magazine editor and miscellaneous writer, best known for his six-volume history, Old and New London, and his numerous contributions to the DNB. PLEASE NOTE: For customers within the UK this item is subject to VAT.
Stock #68953
£350


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