Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
December 5, 1771
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A didactic poem advising a son on achieving a happy life through moderation, prudence, good companionship, a virtuous wife, and calm acceptance of death.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
Maris to cry a HAPPY LIFE.
SERIOUSLY, my Son, attend
To the Counsels of a Friend;
Would you lead a happy Life,
Care avoid, and shun the Strife
Which from Law must ever rise,
Fatal Flame that never dies.
If possess'd of moderate Wealth,
And more ample Stock of Health,
Keep a cheerful Look serene,
Void of any haughty Mien;
Seek Companions blithe and free,
And of equal Rank with thee;
Prudence follow, nor advance
Into wild Extravagance;
By a plain, but wholesome Diet,
Sleep you'll purchase sound, and Quiet;
Let your Conduct ever run
To all obliging, rude to none;
Choose a modest, virtuous Wife,
Skill'd to smooth the Rubs of Life.
With these Blessings well possess'd,
Own yourself completely bless'd;
And whate'er your settled Spot,
Well contented with your Lot,
Calmly be resign'd to Fate,
When it summons, soon or late.
Thus let surly Death appear,
Without a Wish, without a Fear.
Maris to cry a HAPPY LIFE.
SERIOUSLY, my Son, attend
To the Counsels of a Friend;
Would you lead a happy Life,
Care avoid, and shun the Strife
Which from Law must ever rise,
Fatal Flame that never dies.
If possess'd of moderate Wealth,
And more ample Stock of Health,
Keep a cheerful Look serene,
Void of any haughty Mien;
Seek Companions blithe and free,
And of equal Rank with thee;
Prudence follow, nor advance
Into wild Extravagance;
By a plain, but wholesome Diet,
Sleep you'll purchase sound, and Quiet;
Let your Conduct ever run
To all obliging, rude to none;
Choose a modest, virtuous Wife,
Skill'd to smooth the Rubs of Life.
With these Blessings well possess'd,
Own yourself completely bless'd;
And whate'er your settled Spot,
Well contented with your Lot,
Calmly be resign'd to Fate,
When it summons, soon or late.
Thus let surly Death appear,
Without a Wish, without a Fear.
What sub-type of article is it?
Verse Letter
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Temperance Moderation
What keywords are associated?
Happy Life
Moral Advice
Prudence
Virtuous Wife
Accepting Death
Moderation
Poem Details
Title
Maris To Cry A Happy Life.
Subject
Counsels For A Happy Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Seriously, My Son, Attend
To The Counsels Of A Friend;
Would You Lead A Happy Life,
Care Avoid, And Shun The Strife
Which From Law Must Ever Rise,
Fatal Flame That Never Dies.
Choose A Modest, Virtuous Wife,
Skill'd To Smooth The Rubs Of Life.
Thus Let Surly Death Appear,
Without A Wish, Without A Fear.