TO THE PUBLIC. Janet Little (later Richmond) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T126549 Little, Janet, 1759-1813. The Poetical Works of Janet Little, the Scotch Milkmaid. Air Printed by John & Peter Wilson 1792 pp. [25]-26.

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TO THE PUBLIC . I. FROM the dull confines of a country shade , A rustic damsel issues forth her lays ; There she , in secret , sought the Muse's aid , But now , aspiring , hopes to gain the bays . II . " Vain are her hopes , " the snarling critic cries ; " Rude and imperfect is her rural song . " But she on public candour firm relies , And humbly begs they'll pardon what is wrong . III . And if some lucky thought , while you peruse , Some little beauty strike th' inquiring mind ; In gratitude she'll thank th' indulgent Muse , Nor count her toil , where you can pleasure find . IV . Upon your voice depends her share of fame , With beating breast her lines abroad are sent : Of praise she'll no luxuriant portion claim ; Give but a little , and she'll rest content .