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Poem
August 19, 1803
Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Allegorical poem depicting Pleasure sleeping under bleak skies, mourned by a blooming maid. Desire awakens Pleasure to bless her, but she cannot reverse it, learning their provinces are distinct: Desire waits on Pleasure, who lulls Desire to sleep.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
PLEASURE AND DESIRE.
Under bleak skies Pleasure sleeps,
And near him mourns a blooming maid:
He will not wake, and she sits weeping.
When, lo! a stranger proffers aid.
His hurried steps, his glance of fire,
The god of wishes wild declare,
"Wake, Pleasure, smiles!" exclaims Desire,
And Pleasure wakes to bless the fair.
But soon the maid, in luckless hour,
Desire asleep is doomed to view:
"Try Pleasure, try," she cries, "your power,
And wake Desire, as he woke you."
Fond girl! thy prayer exceeds all measure:
Distinct his province each must keep:
Desire shall ever wait on Pleasure,
And Pleasure lull Desire to sleep.
Under bleak skies Pleasure sleeps,
And near him mourns a blooming maid:
He will not wake, and she sits weeping.
When, lo! a stranger proffers aid.
His hurried steps, his glance of fire,
The god of wishes wild declare,
"Wake, Pleasure, smiles!" exclaims Desire,
And Pleasure wakes to bless the fair.
But soon the maid, in luckless hour,
Desire asleep is doomed to view:
"Try Pleasure, try," she cries, "your power,
And wake Desire, as he woke you."
Fond girl! thy prayer exceeds all measure:
Distinct his province each must keep:
Desire shall ever wait on Pleasure,
And Pleasure lull Desire to sleep.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Pleasure
Desire
Blooming Maid
Moral Lesson
Allegory
Poem Details
Title
Pleasure And Desire.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Desire Shall Ever Wait On Pleasure,
And Pleasure Lull Desire To Sleep.