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Poem
June 2, 1788
The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An elegy mourning the accidental death of Simon, a virtuous youth, during a mock military engagement when a gun discharges unexpectedly, killing him despite medical aid.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
For the Daily Patriotic Register.
On a late unhappy Accident.
CATASTROPHE.
I.
O lead the day with jollity and mirth,
To wake the soul to scenes of feigned war,
The late train'd soldiers bear their banners forth,
And think of naught that may their pleasures mar.
II.
Arrang'd, in uniform, they take the field;
Surrounding eyes gaze the martial sight-
To mark our worthies straight the word they wield,
And then opposing, join in mutual fight.
III.
The mimic thunder spreads aloud its roar,
A close engagement suddenly ensues
Now from each line redoubled small arms pour,
While on the hillocks, all the city views.
IV.
To seem as earnest-yet to be in play
To rend the air with cannon's awful sound,
And meet no danger, makes each person gay,
And, hearts secure, with pleasing thoughts rebound.
V.
But unexpected, if some hapless man
Fall on the spot, where all he deem'd was safe;
From sympathetic tears what mortal can
Sternly refrain, and not be touch'd with grief?
VI.
Such was the fate (alas! how slow my tears!)
Of Simon, youth of virtue's sacred fire;
With gallant mind abating all his fears,
He nobly in his office did aspire.
VII.
In pleasing hopes he joins the merry throng,
And smiles, unconscious of his timeless end;
Assumes his post, continues it as long,
As long! as fates the fixed decree suspend!
VIII.
While standing at the muzzle of the gun,
The gun impatient starts its sudden death-
He falls --he groans. the near physicians run
T' afford relief--but ah! he yields his breath.
May 31.
TRISTIS.
For the Daily Patriotic Register.
On a late unhappy Accident.
CATASTROPHE.
I.
O lead the day with jollity and mirth,
To wake the soul to scenes of feigned war,
The late train'd soldiers bear their banners forth,
And think of naught that may their pleasures mar.
II.
Arrang'd, in uniform, they take the field;
Surrounding eyes gaze the martial sight-
To mark our worthies straight the word they wield,
And then opposing, join in mutual fight.
III.
The mimic thunder spreads aloud its roar,
A close engagement suddenly ensues
Now from each line redoubled small arms pour,
While on the hillocks, all the city views.
IV.
To seem as earnest-yet to be in play
To rend the air with cannon's awful sound,
And meet no danger, makes each person gay,
And, hearts secure, with pleasing thoughts rebound.
V.
But unexpected, if some hapless man
Fall on the spot, where all he deem'd was safe;
From sympathetic tears what mortal can
Sternly refrain, and not be touch'd with grief?
VI.
Such was the fate (alas! how slow my tears!)
Of Simon, youth of virtue's sacred fire;
With gallant mind abating all his fears,
He nobly in his office did aspire.
VII.
In pleasing hopes he joins the merry throng,
And smiles, unconscious of his timeless end;
Assumes his post, continues it as long,
As long! as fates the fixed decree suspend!
VIII.
While standing at the muzzle of the gun,
The gun impatient starts its sudden death-
He falls --he groans. the near physicians run
T' afford relief--but ah! he yields his breath.
May 31.
TRISTIS.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
War Military
What keywords are associated?
Unhappy Accident
Simon Death
Military Parade
Gun Misfire
Mimic Battle
What entities or persons were involved?
Tristis
Poem Details
Title
Catastrophe
Author
Tristis
Subject
On A Late Unhappy Accident
Key Lines
Such Was The Fate (Alas! How Slow My Tears!) Of Simon, Youth Of Virtue's Sacred Fire;
While Standing At The Muzzle Of The Gun, The Gun Impatient Starts Its Sudden Death He Falls He Groans. The Near Physicians Run T' Afford Relief But Ah! He Yields His Breath.