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Poem
August 26, 1773
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A lyrical address to Wisdom, blessing its soothing control over passions but disclaiming its stern empire that fosters care and fear, preferring instead the reign of pleasure, fancy, mirth, hope, and easy faith.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
To WISDOM.
Can sooth the Sickness of the Soul,
Wisdom! if thy Soft Controul
Can bid the warring Passions cease,
And breathe the Balm of tender Peace,
Wisdom! I bless thy gentle Sway,
And ever, ever will obey;
But if thou com'st with Frown austere,
To nurse the Brood of Care and Fear,
To bid our sweetest Passions die,
And leave us in their Room a Sigh,
Or if thine Aspect stern have Power
To wither each poor transient Flower
That cheers the Pilgrimage of Woe,
And dry the Springs whence Hope should flow,
Wisdom, thine Empire I disclaim,
Thou empty Boast of pompous Name!
In gloomy Shade of Cloisters dwell,
But never haunt my cheerful Cell,
Hail to Pleasure's frolick Train,
Hail to Fancy's golden Reign;
Festive Mirth, and Laughter wild,
Free and sportful as the Child;
Hope with eager sparkling Eyes,
And easy Faith, and fond Surprize;
Let thee, in Fairy Colours drest,
For ever share thy careles Breast;
Then, though wise I may not be,
The Wise themselves shall envy me.
To WISDOM.
Can sooth the Sickness of the Soul,
Wisdom! if thy Soft Controul
Can bid the warring Passions cease,
And breathe the Balm of tender Peace,
Wisdom! I bless thy gentle Sway,
And ever, ever will obey;
But if thou com'st with Frown austere,
To nurse the Brood of Care and Fear,
To bid our sweetest Passions die,
And leave us in their Room a Sigh,
Or if thine Aspect stern have Power
To wither each poor transient Flower
That cheers the Pilgrimage of Woe,
And dry the Springs whence Hope should flow,
Wisdom, thine Empire I disclaim,
Thou empty Boast of pompous Name!
In gloomy Shade of Cloisters dwell,
But never haunt my cheerful Cell,
Hail to Pleasure's frolick Train,
Hail to Fancy's golden Reign;
Festive Mirth, and Laughter wild,
Free and sportful as the Child;
Hope with eager sparkling Eyes,
And easy Faith, and fond Surprize;
Let thee, in Fairy Colours drest,
For ever share thy careles Breast;
Then, though wise I may not be,
The Wise themselves shall envy me.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Wisdom
Pleasure
Fancy
Passions
Hope
Moral Choice
Joy
Poem Details
Title
To Wisdom.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Can Sooth The Sickness Of The Soul,
Wisdom! If Thy Soft Controul
Can Bid The Warring Passions Cease,
And Breathe The Balm Of Tender Peace,
Wisdom, Thine Empire I Disclaim,
Thou Empty Boast Of Pompous Name!
Hail To Pleasure's Frolick Train,
Hail To Fancy's Golden Reign;
Then, Though Wise I May Not Be,
The Wise Themselves Shall Envy Me.