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Poem
October 1, 1831
New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal
Concord, Merrimack County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem personifying Melancholy, exploring causes of sorrow like lost friends and false love, but ultimately attributing despair to poverty and finding comfort in religion's soothing power. Signed R. D., Randolph, VT, September 20, 1831.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FOR THE STATESMAN AND JOURNAL.
MELANCHOLY.
Say, Melancholy, silent maid,
What are the cares that heave thy breast?
Have those who might afford thee aid,
Gone to the land of silent rest?
Or have thy friends all fickle proved;
The gaudy flatterers of an hour;
Or has the Damon, whom you loved,
Proved false, and owned a rival's power?
No—these are not the ills I mourn;
'Tis not the lover's faithless vows;
'Tis not that friends are from me torn,
That fell Despair thus clouds my brows;
I mourn in Poverty, forlorn,
In haunts of woe and deep distress;
And all the suff'rings I have borne,
None care to know, or even guess.
Ah! Melancholy, hush thy strain,
The tale you tell is often told.
Man loves the privilege to complain,
And boast the world is false and cold.
Nought but Religion can repose
The raging tumult of the soul;
'Tis this can calm the deepest woes.
And sooth the mind when billows roll.
Randolph, Vt. Sept. 20, 1831.
R. D.
MELANCHOLY.
Say, Melancholy, silent maid,
What are the cares that heave thy breast?
Have those who might afford thee aid,
Gone to the land of silent rest?
Or have thy friends all fickle proved;
The gaudy flatterers of an hour;
Or has the Damon, whom you loved,
Proved false, and owned a rival's power?
No—these are not the ills I mourn;
'Tis not the lover's faithless vows;
'Tis not that friends are from me torn,
That fell Despair thus clouds my brows;
I mourn in Poverty, forlorn,
In haunts of woe and deep distress;
And all the suff'rings I have borne,
None care to know, or even guess.
Ah! Melancholy, hush thy strain,
The tale you tell is often told.
Man loves the privilege to complain,
And boast the world is false and cold.
Nought but Religion can repose
The raging tumult of the soul;
'Tis this can calm the deepest woes.
And sooth the mind when billows roll.
Randolph, Vt. Sept. 20, 1831.
R. D.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Melancholy
Poverty
Despair
Religion
Solace
Complaint
What entities or persons were involved?
R. D.
Poem Details
Title
Melancholy.
Author
R. D.
Subject
Address To Melancholy On Poverty And Despair
Key Lines
Say, Melancholy, Silent Maid,
What Are The Cares That Heave Thy Breast?
Nought But Religion Can Repose
The Raging Tumult Of The Soul;
'Tis This Can Calm The Deepest Woes.
And Sooth The Mind When Billows Roll.