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Literary
October 10, 1833
Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem titled 'The Fountain of Memory' from the National Intelligencer, signed S. H., September 1833. The speaker declines to drink from the fountain of memory, as past experiences bring more sorrow and regret than joy, preferring forgetfulness over reliving pain.
Merged-components note: The image component overlaps spatially with the literary poetry component, indicating it is a decorative or illustrative element.
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Full Text
POETRY.
From the National Intelligencer,
The Fountain of Memory.
"Come to the fount with me!
Life's glittering pleasures are on the wing,
But fill the cup from the magical spring.
The fountain of Memory
Then, tho' they pass away,
Remembrance will color hours gone by
With many a deeper and richer dye,
And gild them with Fancy's ray.
Come to the fount with me!
Life's all a dream—but the past will show
A holier sight—a purer glow—
By the power of Memory!"
I will not drink from the magical spring—
No joy to me past hours bring.
There are some smiles, but many tears—
There are some hopes, but many fears.—
There is some light, but far more gloom
Over the sickened soul to come
For mine has been a wayward fate.
Where Hope has come, but all too late.
My brow was wreathed for the festival.
But one by one the blossoms fell:
And, ere the sound of the dance was done,
The wreath was there, but the flowers gone.
My heart was once with music stored,
And pleasure rang in each full chord;
But Fate too rudely touched the string
And it thrill'd with joy's last quivering.
(Gone are its breathing melodies,
And all unstrung and broke it lies.)
Then shall I now live o'er in thought
A dream with gloom and sorrow fraught.
Shall I awaken new regret?
No—rather teach me to forget.
But life has had bright gifts for thee—
Then deeply drink from Memory.
S. H.
September, 1833.
From the National Intelligencer,
The Fountain of Memory.
"Come to the fount with me!
Life's glittering pleasures are on the wing,
But fill the cup from the magical spring.
The fountain of Memory
Then, tho' they pass away,
Remembrance will color hours gone by
With many a deeper and richer dye,
And gild them with Fancy's ray.
Come to the fount with me!
Life's all a dream—but the past will show
A holier sight—a purer glow—
By the power of Memory!"
I will not drink from the magical spring—
No joy to me past hours bring.
There are some smiles, but many tears—
There are some hopes, but many fears.—
There is some light, but far more gloom
Over the sickened soul to come
For mine has been a wayward fate.
Where Hope has come, but all too late.
My brow was wreathed for the festival.
But one by one the blossoms fell:
And, ere the sound of the dance was done,
The wreath was there, but the flowers gone.
My heart was once with music stored,
And pleasure rang in each full chord;
But Fate too rudely touched the string
And it thrill'd with joy's last quivering.
(Gone are its breathing melodies,
And all unstrung and broke it lies.)
Then shall I now live o'er in thought
A dream with gloom and sorrow fraught.
Shall I awaken new regret?
No—rather teach me to forget.
But life has had bright gifts for thee—
Then deeply drink from Memory.
S. H.
September, 1833.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Death Mortality
What keywords are associated?
Memory
Sorrow
Fate
Regret
Forgetfulness
What entities or persons were involved?
S. H.
Literary Details
Title
The Fountain Of Memory
Author
S. H.
Key Lines
"Come To The Fount With Me! / Life's Glittering Pleasures Are On The Wing, / But Fill The Cup From The Magical Spring. / The Fountain Of Memory"
I Will Not Drink From The Magical Spring— / No Joy To Me Past Hours Bring.
Then Shall I Now Live O'er In Thought / A Dream With Gloom And Sorrow Fraught. / Shall I Awaken New Regret? / No—Rather Teach Me To Forget.