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Poem
October 23, 1799
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Poem compares life to navigating a turbulent sea, urging readiness, patience, sound judgment, and reliance on good examples and providence to handle dangers, concluding with a toast to success.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Manage well the swelling Sails.
Life's like a sea in constant motion,
Sometimes high, sometimes low:
Where every one must brave the ocean,
Whatever winds do blow;
That at night by squalls or showers,
Or driven by some gentle gales,
If dangers rise be ever ready
To manage well the swelling sails.
What though the wayward winds would blust,
Let us not give way to fear;
But all our patience let us muster,
And learn by reason how to steer.
Let judgment always keep us steady,
For that's a balance seldom fails.
If dangers rise, be ever ready
To manage well the swelling sails.
Trust not too much your own opinion,
When the vessel's under way;
Let good example be your dominion,
That will seldom lead astray.
But should thunder o'er you hover,
Or Boreas o'er the surface rails,
Let good directions guide the rudder,
Whilst providence conducts the sails.
When you are safe from dangers riding
In some favorite port or bay,
Hope, be the anchor you confide in,
Care awhile, in slumbers lay;
Next, each a can of liquor flowing,
And good fellowship prevails;
Let every heart with rapture glowing,
Drink, "Success unto the Sails!"
Life's like a sea in constant motion,
Sometimes high, sometimes low:
Where every one must brave the ocean,
Whatever winds do blow;
That at night by squalls or showers,
Or driven by some gentle gales,
If dangers rise be ever ready
To manage well the swelling sails.
What though the wayward winds would blust,
Let us not give way to fear;
But all our patience let us muster,
And learn by reason how to steer.
Let judgment always keep us steady,
For that's a balance seldom fails.
If dangers rise, be ever ready
To manage well the swelling sails.
Trust not too much your own opinion,
When the vessel's under way;
Let good example be your dominion,
That will seldom lead astray.
But should thunder o'er you hover,
Or Boreas o'er the surface rails,
Let good directions guide the rudder,
Whilst providence conducts the sails.
When you are safe from dangers riding
In some favorite port or bay,
Hope, be the anchor you confide in,
Care awhile, in slumbers lay;
Next, each a can of liquor flowing,
And good fellowship prevails;
Let every heart with rapture glowing,
Drink, "Success unto the Sails!"
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Temperance Moderation
What keywords are associated?
Life Sea Metaphor
Managing Sails
Moral Advice
Patience Judgment
Providence Guidance
Success Toast
Poem Details
Subject
Life As A Sea Voyage
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Refrain
Key Lines
To Manage Well The Swelling Sails.
Life's Like A Sea In Constant Motion,
Sometimes High, Sometimes Low:
Where Every One Must Brave The Ocean,
Whatever Winds Do Blow;
Let Judgment Always Keep Us Steady,
For That's A Balance Seldom Fails.
If Dangers Rise, Be Ever Ready
To Manage Well The Swelling Sails.
Drink, "Success Unto The Sails!"