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Poem
October 16, 1793
National Gazette
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Translation from Greek poet Bion of a reflective poem on living one life of pain versus a hoped-for blissful afterlife, arguing against wasting time on unattainable joys in old age. Followed by prose commentary highlighting its contrast with Christian belief in eternal life and the inconsistency of believers not pursuing it.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Greek of BION.
If God, or Fate, to man would give
In two successive states to live;
The first, in pain and sorrow pass'd,
In ease, content, and bliss the last:
I then would rack my anxious brain
With study, how that state to gain,
No task too hard, too rough no road
That led to that serene abode—
But since to all impartial heaven
One fleeting life has only given,
'Twere madness, sure, that time to waste
In search of joys I ne'er can taste;
What hope can bloom on life's last stage
When each delight is pall'd by age!
The point in which this ancient Pagan philosopher expressly disavows his belief, constitutes a leading article in the creed of every Christian. How inconsistently do they act then, when professing to believe what that philosopher disbelieved, they avoid pursuing the course which he would have pursued, had he been a Christian.
If God, or Fate, to man would give
In two successive states to live;
The first, in pain and sorrow pass'd,
In ease, content, and bliss the last:
I then would rack my anxious brain
With study, how that state to gain,
No task too hard, too rough no road
That led to that serene abode—
But since to all impartial heaven
One fleeting life has only given,
'Twere madness, sure, that time to waste
In search of joys I ne'er can taste;
What hope can bloom on life's last stage
When each delight is pall'd by age!
The point in which this ancient Pagan philosopher expressly disavows his belief, constitutes a leading article in the creed of every Christian. How inconsistently do they act then, when professing to believe what that philosopher disbelieved, they avoid pursuing the course which he would have pursued, had he been a Christian.
What sub-type of article is it?
Philosophical Verse
Rhymed Couplets
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Bion Greek
Afterlife Reflection
Christian Creed
Moral Inconsistency
Fleeting Life
Pagan Philosopher
What entities or persons were involved?
From The Greek Of Bion
Poem Details
Author
From The Greek Of Bion
Subject
Reflection On Afterlife And Christian Inconsistency
Form / Style
Iambic Tetrameter Couplets
Key Lines
If God, Or Fate, To Man Would Give
In Two Successive States To Live;
'Twere Madness, Sure, That Time To Waste
In Search Of Joys I Ne'er Can Taste;
What Hope Can Bloom On Life's Last Stage
When Each Delight Is Pall'd By Age!