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Poem
April 10, 1822
Harpers Ferry Free Press
Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A lament by the Boston Bard on the betrayal of vowed friendships amid misfortune and poverty, quoting Goldsmith to reflect on friendship's fleeting nature and the isolation it brings.
Clipping
OCR Quality
99%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
FROM THE INDEPENDENT BALANCE.
"And what is friendship but a name,
A charm that lulls to sleep?"
GOLDSMITH.
Oh, where are they who Friendship vow'd
Ere Fortune's sun declin'd?
Whose gifts, unsought, so rapid flow'd?
Who round my heart entwin'd?
Where, where are those whose ready hand
My own so eager pressed?
Ere want my barque with miseries mann'd,
Dismantled and distressed?
Where are they now? Ah, whither fled?
Their vows have they forgot?
Grim Penury, thou hast rear'd thy head,
And drove them from my cot.
Thy haggard form, an inmate now
Where Fortune smil'd elate,
Hath cancell'd Friendship's sacred vow,
And left me to my fate!
No smile of love from beauty's eye,
My dreary path illumes;
Beneath my tread the flowrets die—The rose no longer blooms!
Mirth from my presence takes its flight,
Joy seeks a brighter home;
Hope's taper throws a feebler light,
And pleasure shuns the gloom.
Affection, e'en affection true,
And on the altar sworn,
To me, alas! has bid adieu!
And never to return.
No more in life have I to lose—
All's lost that's worth a care;
Sad and heart-broken is my muse—
My spirit's in despair.
In vain on pleasures past I call;
Their ghosts alone appear;
My early friends—where are they all?
They turn a deafen'd ear.
Oh, Friendship, Love, what are ye both?
How speedy your decay?
A moment, and ye have your growth;
At longest but a day.
Life's chilling wind begins to blow—
The tempest rude to roar;
Your roots the autumn rains o'erflow—
And straight ye are no more!
BOSTON BARD.
FROM THE INDEPENDENT BALANCE.
"And what is friendship but a name,
A charm that lulls to sleep?"
GOLDSMITH.
Oh, where are they who Friendship vow'd
Ere Fortune's sun declin'd?
Whose gifts, unsought, so rapid flow'd?
Who round my heart entwin'd?
Where, where are those whose ready hand
My own so eager pressed?
Ere want my barque with miseries mann'd,
Dismantled and distressed?
Where are they now? Ah, whither fled?
Their vows have they forgot?
Grim Penury, thou hast rear'd thy head,
And drove them from my cot.
Thy haggard form, an inmate now
Where Fortune smil'd elate,
Hath cancell'd Friendship's sacred vow,
And left me to my fate!
No smile of love from beauty's eye,
My dreary path illumes;
Beneath my tread the flowrets die—The rose no longer blooms!
Mirth from my presence takes its flight,
Joy seeks a brighter home;
Hope's taper throws a feebler light,
And pleasure shuns the gloom.
Affection, e'en affection true,
And on the altar sworn,
To me, alas! has bid adieu!
And never to return.
No more in life have I to lose—
All's lost that's worth a care;
Sad and heart-broken is my muse—
My spirit's in despair.
In vain on pleasures past I call;
Their ghosts alone appear;
My early friends—where are they all?
They turn a deafen'd ear.
Oh, Friendship, Love, what are ye both?
How speedy your decay?
A moment, and ye have your growth;
At longest but a day.
Life's chilling wind begins to blow—
The tempest rude to roar;
Your roots the autumn rains o'erflow—
And straight ye are no more!
BOSTON BARD.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Friendship Betrayal
Lost Fortune
Penury
Fleeting Affection
Moral Reflection
What entities or persons were involved?
Boston Bard
Poem Details
Author
Boston Bard
Subject
Loss Of Friendship Due To Misfortune
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"And What Is Friendship But A Name, A Charm That Lulls To Sleep?"
Oh, Where Are They Who Friendship Vow'd Ere Fortune's Sun Declin'd?
Grim Penury, Thou Hast Rear'd Thy Head, And Drove Them From My Cot.
Oh, Friendship, Love, What Are Ye Both? How Speedy Your Decay? A Moment, And Ye Have Your Growth; At Longest But A Day.