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Poem
April 3, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A fable in verse about animals uniting on high ground during a flood and resuming enmities when safe, analogized to American states uniting against danger but dividing in peace for local interests.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FOR THE GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES.
FABLE.
ONCE on a time, as authors tell,
The River, as the story goes,
All the surrounding banks o'erflows;
The only neighb'ring spot of high-land,
Was soon converted to an island,
Thence, from their holes and burrows routed,
A motley tribe for safety scouted—
There common danger leagu'd in peace,
Dogs, cats and rats, and fox and geese;
Who, while the flood around them rose,
Forgot they ever had been foes:
But when the ground was clear of rain—
Were cats and rats, and dogs again;
All found their safety in their flight,
"And bid civilities good night."
Thus 'tis with States—when dangers nigh
"Unite, we live—divide, we die"
The North and South in concert join.
And public good 's the grand design—
But when peace comes on downy wing,
And poets halcyon ages sing!—
Those States cooped up in legislature,
(The example don't exist in nature)
Opposing interests abound,
And there the local charge goes round.
FABLE.
ONCE on a time, as authors tell,
The River, as the story goes,
All the surrounding banks o'erflows;
The only neighb'ring spot of high-land,
Was soon converted to an island,
Thence, from their holes and burrows routed,
A motley tribe for safety scouted—
There common danger leagu'd in peace,
Dogs, cats and rats, and fox and geese;
Who, while the flood around them rose,
Forgot they ever had been foes:
But when the ground was clear of rain—
Were cats and rats, and dogs again;
All found their safety in their flight,
"And bid civilities good night."
Thus 'tis with States—when dangers nigh
"Unite, we live—divide, we die"
The North and South in concert join.
And public good 's the grand design—
But when peace comes on downy wing,
And poets halcyon ages sing!—
Those States cooped up in legislature,
(The example don't exist in nature)
Opposing interests abound,
And there the local charge goes round.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Political
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Fable
Unity
States
Flood
Animals
North South
Legislature
Poem Details
Title
Fable.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"Unite, We Live—Divide, We Die"
The North And South In Concert Join.
And Public Good 'S The Grand Design—
Those States Cooped Up In Legislature,
(The Example Don't Exist In Nature)
Opposing Interests Abound,
And There The Local Charge Goes Round.