POEMS BY EDWARD CAPERN, Rural Postman of Bideford, Devon. A humble Poet, Whose songs gushed from his heart "Who through long days of labour, "Such songs have power to quiet And come like a benediction That follows after prayer." LONGFELLOW. Second Edition, with Additions. LONDON: DAVID BOGUE, 86, FLEET STREET. MDCCCLVI. 280.9.42. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. TO THE SUBSCRIBERS. MY LORDS, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN, I AM entrusted with the delightful privilege of introducing a man of genius to the world,-EDWARD CAPERN, a Poet. On taking possession of the necessary papers I consulted some literary friends, and it was of course soon decided that no alterations should be made except by Mr. Capern; nor, indeed, were many needed; for, except a few slips of the pen— mere verbal inaccuracies scarcely worth alluding to-the whole of these beautiful poems appear as they were first produced by him. I reserved to myself, however, the absolute right of rejection, and this was frequently a rather painful duty. In a walk together of thirteen miles, |