The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1531]
Very sincerely yours.
Edgar A. Poe
Thomas W. White to Edgar Allan Poe — September 29, 1835
Richmond, Sept. 29, 1835.
Dear Edgar, — Would that it were in my power to unbosom myself to you, in language such as I could on the present occasion, wish myself master of. I cannot do it — and therefore must be content to speak to you in my plain way.
That you are sincere in all your promises, I firmly believe. But, Edgar, when you once again tread these streets, I have my fears that your resolves would fall through, — and that you would again sip the juice, even till it stole away your senses. Rely on your own strength, and you are gone! Look to your Maker for help, and you are safe!
How much I regretted parting with you, is unknown to anyone on this earth, except myself. I was attached to you — and am still, — and willingly would I say return, if I did not dread the hour of separation very shortly again.
If you could make yourself contented to take up your quarters in my family, or in any other private family where liquor is not used, I should think there were hopes of you. — But, if you go to a tavern, or to any other place where it is used at table, you are not safe. I speak from experience.
You have fine talents, Edgar, — and you ought to have them respected as well as yourself. Learn to respect yourself, and you will very soon find that you are respected. Separate yourself from the bottle, and bottle companions, for ever!
Tell me if you can and will do so — and let me hear that it is your fixed purpose never to yield to temptation.
If you should come to Richmond again, and again should be an assistant in my office, it must be expressly understood by us that all engagements on my part would be dissolved, the moment you get drunk.
No man is safe who drinks before breakfast! No man can do so, and attend to business properly.
I have thought over the matter seriously about the Autograph article, and have come to the conclusion that it will be best to omit it in its present dress. I should not be at all surprised, were I to send it out, to hear that Cooper had sued me for a libel.
The form containing it has been ready for press three days — and I have been just as many days deciding the question.
I am your true friend,
T. W. White.
E. A. Poe, Esq.
Thomas W. White to Edgar Allan Poe — January 17, 1837
Jan. 17, ‘37.
Mr. Poe, — If it be possible, without breaking in on my previous arrangements, I will get more than the 1st portion of Pym in — tho’ I much fear that will be impossible.
If I had read even 10 lines of Magruder’s manuscript, it would have saved me the expense of putting it in type. — It is all (illegible) — bombast. He will have to live a little longer before he can write well enough to please the readers of the M.
Touching Carey’s piece, gratitude to him for pecuniary assistance, obliges me to insert it.
You are certainly as well aware as I am that the last $20 I advanced to you was in consideration of what you were to write for me by the piece.
I also made you a promise on Saturday that I would do something more for you to-day, — and I never make even a promise without intending to perform it, — and though it is entirely out of my power to send you up any thing this morning, yet I will do something more for you before night, or early to-morrow, — if I have to borrow it from my friends.
Truly yrs —
T. W. W.
WHITMAN, MRS. SARAH HELEN
Sarah H. Whitman to Edgar Allan Poe — early August 1848
A low bewildering melody
Is murmuring in my ear —
Tones such as in the twilight wood
The aspen thrills to hear
When Faunus slumbers on the hill
And all the entranced boughs are still.
The jasmine twines her snowy stars
Into a fairer wreath —
The lily through my lattice bars
Exhales a sweeter breath —
And, gazing on Night’s starry cope,
I dwell with “Beauty which is Hope