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Poem
April 20, 1813
The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A narrative poem from the perspective of a land bird carried by wind far from home, seeking shelter on a ship during a storm, dying in the author's hand, preserved as a lesson for children against leaving parents hastily.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetry
Lines occasioned by a beautiful Land Bird's
alighting on a vessel 400 miles from land
and dying in the hands of the author.
On the wings of the wind,
So swift--unkind,
On the wings of the wind I was borne
Thought of parents bereft,
Whom I wantonly left,
And despised--whilst I sighed to return.
The day wears away.
Yet farther I stray,
The day wears away, and the night,
In hideous form,
Proclaims the loud storm,
Whilst horror my senses affright.
Though cruel is man,
I'll cry--if I can,
Though cruel is man to his fellows,
Exhausted and weak
A shelter to seek
In yon ship riding o'er the rough billows.
Perhaps some kind youth
In a record of truth,
Perhaps some kind youth may relate
How I ventured to roam,
From friends, parents and home,
And other Birds warn by my fate.
Whilst fatigue and distress
Thus his spirits-oppress,
He hovered just over my head,
My hand I extend,
Some assistance to lend,
But, alas ! the poor wanderer was dead.
I'll preserve you, cried I,
Though no longer you fly
Nor flutter throughout the wide waste,
That my children may learn,
Good from ill to discern,
Nor quit their fond parents in haste.
Lines occasioned by a beautiful Land Bird's
alighting on a vessel 400 miles from land
and dying in the hands of the author.
On the wings of the wind,
So swift--unkind,
On the wings of the wind I was borne
Thought of parents bereft,
Whom I wantonly left,
And despised--whilst I sighed to return.
The day wears away.
Yet farther I stray,
The day wears away, and the night,
In hideous form,
Proclaims the loud storm,
Whilst horror my senses affright.
Though cruel is man,
I'll cry--if I can,
Though cruel is man to his fellows,
Exhausted and weak
A shelter to seek
In yon ship riding o'er the rough billows.
Perhaps some kind youth
In a record of truth,
Perhaps some kind youth may relate
How I ventured to roam,
From friends, parents and home,
And other Birds warn by my fate.
Whilst fatigue and distress
Thus his spirits-oppress,
He hovered just over my head,
My hand I extend,
Some assistance to lend,
But, alas ! the poor wanderer was dead.
I'll preserve you, cried I,
Though no longer you fly
Nor flutter throughout the wide waste,
That my children may learn,
Good from ill to discern,
Nor quit their fond parents in haste.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Land Bird
Vessel At Sea
Bird Death
Storm At Sea
Moral Lesson
Parental Bonds
Poem Details
Title
Lines Occasioned By A Beautiful Land Bird's Alighting On A Vessel 400 Miles From Land And Dying In The Hands Of The Author.
Subject
A Beautiful Land Bird Alighting On A Vessel 400 Miles From Land And Dying In The Hands Of The Author
Key Lines
On The Wings Of The Wind,
So Swift Unkind,
On The Wings Of The Wind I Was Borne
Though Cruel Is Man,
I'll Cry If I Can,
Though Cruel Is Man To His Fellows,
Exhausted And Weak
A Shelter To Seek
In Yon Ship Riding O'er The Rough Billows.
But, Alas ! The Poor Wanderer Was Dead.
I'll Preserve You, Cried I,
Though No Longer You Fly
Nor Flutter Throughout The Wide Waste,
That My Children May Learn,
Good From Ill To Discern,
Nor Quit Their Fond Parents In Haste.