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Poem
January 1, 1767
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Translation of a Simonides fragment: A grieving widow, after failing to console her family over her husband's death, approaches her sleeping infant son, envying his peaceful slumber amid the household's sorrow and longing for her own relief from grief.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Translation of a Fragment of Simonides.
The poet, having pathetically painted two great Princes taking leave of an affectionate husband on his death bed, and endeavouring afterwards to comfort her inconsolable family, adds the following:
From these attempts, to all around, to give sweet consolation on the dire event,
which, unconsol'd, the apt would not receive,
to seek her infant son her steps she bent;
the crystal tear yet trickling down her cheek
that cheek which glow'd with beauty's brightest charms;
when, lo! the nurse, that infant she would seek,
brought sweetly fearless slumbering in her arms:
and can you sleep, the cries, from sorrow free,
by every mournful countenance unmov'd,
while, sadly silent, each one weeps with me,
his loss, whom equal with ourselves we lov'd;
that friend, that father, is for ever lost,
whose knee so oft you climb'd in frolick play,
or wanton springing high in air he toss'd,
or prompted mild your tongue's first rude essay,
still o'er your eyes sleep's sweetest influence reigns,
still dimples on your cheek the wonted smile,
your orphan heart no anguish feels, or pains,
in that calm breast no raging sorrows boil.
Sleep on, my darling, sleep, in soft repose,
nor feel disturbance from your mother's grief;
Ah, when shall I, forgotten all woes,
in kind oblivion thus find sweet relief.
The poet, having pathetically painted two great Princes taking leave of an affectionate husband on his death bed, and endeavouring afterwards to comfort her inconsolable family, adds the following:
From these attempts, to all around, to give sweet consolation on the dire event,
which, unconsol'd, the apt would not receive,
to seek her infant son her steps she bent;
the crystal tear yet trickling down her cheek
that cheek which glow'd with beauty's brightest charms;
when, lo! the nurse, that infant she would seek,
brought sweetly fearless slumbering in her arms:
and can you sleep, the cries, from sorrow free,
by every mournful countenance unmov'd,
while, sadly silent, each one weeps with me,
his loss, whom equal with ourselves we lov'd;
that friend, that father, is for ever lost,
whose knee so oft you climb'd in frolick play,
or wanton springing high in air he toss'd,
or prompted mild your tongue's first rude essay,
still o'er your eyes sleep's sweetest influence reigns,
still dimples on your cheek the wonted smile,
your orphan heart no anguish feels, or pains,
in that calm breast no raging sorrows boil.
Sleep on, my darling, sleep, in soft repose,
nor feel disturbance from your mother's grief;
Ah, when shall I, forgotten all woes,
in kind oblivion thus find sweet relief.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Simonides Fragment
Widow Grief
Husband Death
Infant Sleep
Family Mourning
What entities or persons were involved?
Simonides
Poem Details
Title
Translation Of A Fragment Of Simonides
Author
Simonides
Subject
Grieving Widow's Lament Over Husband's Death
Key Lines
Sleep On, My Darling, Sleep, In Soft Repose,
Nor Feel Disturbance From Your Mother's Grief;
Ah, When Shall I, Forgotten All Woes,
In Kind Oblivion Thus Find Sweet Relief.