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Poem
June 24, 1809
The Museum Of Delaware & General Advertiser
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
Narrative poem about Poor Tom, facing poverty and hardship, who bids farewell to his wife Mary and children to sail at sea for relief, but tragically drowns when the yard gives way, orphaning his family.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
O'er winds the sea's effect,
And ev'ry care and sorrow.
The ups and downs of life reflect,
To warn us of to-morrow.
Poor Tom, while seated at his door
He call'd the world unkind:
And sigh'd for days that now were o'er
All pictur'd to his mind.
His money spent-his credit fled!
Such horror star'd apace,
That made him tears of pity shed,
Which mantled all his face,
A wife was Mary-sweet to see;
Three little ones could speak,
And gaily climb their father's knee,
To kiss his pallid cheek.
Tom cast a look upon his dear,
Then turn'd himself away:
While fell destruction loiter'd near,
To cloud his opening day!
Amid these troubles, all in vain,
To find relief tried he:
A friend advised 'twould be his gain
To try the generous sea.
The wind was up, the sails were spread.
All hands were gay and cheery.
Tom lean'd against the mast his head,
And look'd where stood his Mary.
Farewell, my wife! aloud cried he,
Dry up those falling tears;
I leave my prattling boys with thee,
O, guard their tender years!
The ship cut through the briny deep,
Once more Tom wav'd his hand,
He saw his faithful Mary weep,
"Till ocean drank the land!
On golden wings the moments flew,
Devoid of care and sorrow;
Returning--near the port he drew,
With love to meet to-morrow.
The wind yet gently shook the sails,
Tom went to catch it hov'ring;
The yard gave way, his foot did fail
The sea's his wretched covering!
Alas! poor Mary. hard's thy lot,
A passing Angel said;
Yet shall these orphans seek the spot,
Wherein thy Tom is laid.
ALONZO.
And ev'ry care and sorrow.
The ups and downs of life reflect,
To warn us of to-morrow.
Poor Tom, while seated at his door
He call'd the world unkind:
And sigh'd for days that now were o'er
All pictur'd to his mind.
His money spent-his credit fled!
Such horror star'd apace,
That made him tears of pity shed,
Which mantled all his face,
A wife was Mary-sweet to see;
Three little ones could speak,
And gaily climb their father's knee,
To kiss his pallid cheek.
Tom cast a look upon his dear,
Then turn'd himself away:
While fell destruction loiter'd near,
To cloud his opening day!
Amid these troubles, all in vain,
To find relief tried he:
A friend advised 'twould be his gain
To try the generous sea.
The wind was up, the sails were spread.
All hands were gay and cheery.
Tom lean'd against the mast his head,
And look'd where stood his Mary.
Farewell, my wife! aloud cried he,
Dry up those falling tears;
I leave my prattling boys with thee,
O, guard their tender years!
The ship cut through the briny deep,
Once more Tom wav'd his hand,
He saw his faithful Mary weep,
"Till ocean drank the land!
On golden wings the moments flew,
Devoid of care and sorrow;
Returning--near the port he drew,
With love to meet to-morrow.
The wind yet gently shook the sails,
Tom went to catch it hov'ring;
The yard gave way, his foot did fail
The sea's his wretched covering!
Alas! poor Mary. hard's thy lot,
A passing Angel said;
Yet shall these orphans seek the spot,
Wherein thy Tom is laid.
ALONZO.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Poor Tom
Mary
Sea Voyage
Drowning
Family Sorrow
Life Warning
What entities or persons were involved?
Alonzo.
Poem Details
Author
Alonzo.
Subject
Warning Of Life's Uncertainties And Sea Peril
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
O'er Winds The Sea's Effect, And Ev'ry Care And Sorrow. The Ups And Downs Of Life Reflect, To Warn Us Of To Morrow.
Farewell, My Wife! Aloud Cried He, Dry Up Those Falling Tears; I Leave My Prattling Boys With Thee, O, Guard Their Tender Years!
The Yard Gave Way, His Foot Did Fail The Sea's His Wretched Covering!
Alas! Poor Mary. Hard's Thy Lot, A Passing Angel Said; Yet Shall These Orphans Seek The Spot, Wherein Thy Tom Is Laid.