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Poem
April 13, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Humorous satirical poem personifying Death as a tavern-keeper who ensnares drinkers with indulgence, warning of inevitable doom for those who overindulge or fail to pay bills.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
LINES upon a Tavern-Keeper of the Name of DEATH.
I call not here ye sottish wights
For wine, nor punch, nor gin,
For if you stop, whoe'er alights,
By Death is taken in!
Where having eat and drank your fill,
Should ye (O hapless case!)
Neglect to pay your landlord's bill,
Death stares you in the face!
With grief sincere, I pity those—
Who’ve drawn themselves this scrape in
Since from his dreadful gripe, Heav'n knows,
Alas! there's no escaping!
This one advice, my friend, pursue,
Whilst yet you've life and breath;
Ne'er pledge your health—for if you do—
You'll surely—drink to Death.
I call not here ye sottish wights
For wine, nor punch, nor gin,
For if you stop, whoe'er alights,
By Death is taken in!
Where having eat and drank your fill,
Should ye (O hapless case!)
Neglect to pay your landlord's bill,
Death stares you in the face!
With grief sincere, I pity those—
Who’ve drawn themselves this scrape in
Since from his dreadful gripe, Heav'n knows,
Alas! there's no escaping!
This one advice, my friend, pursue,
Whilst yet you've life and breath;
Ne'er pledge your health—for if you do—
You'll surely—drink to Death.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epigram
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Temperance Moderation
Moral Virtue
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Death Tavern Keeper
Drinking Warning
Moral Satire
Temperance Verse
Personified Death
Poem Details
Title
Lines Upon A Tavern Keeper Of The Name Of Death.
Subject
Upon A Tavern Keeper Of The Name Of Death
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Ne'er Pledge Your Health—For If You Do—
You'll Surely—Drink To Death.
For If You Stop, Whoe'er Alights,
By Death Is Taken In!
Death Stares You In The Face!
Alas! There's No Escaping!