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Poem
July 12, 1787
The New York Journal, And Weekly Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A verse fable advising unity to the Grand Federal Convention, using a dying father's lesson of sticks that break singly but not bundled, applying to the thirteen states with the motto 'UNITE or DIE.' Signed NESTOR.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET's CORNER.
The OLD MAN'S ADVICE.
A FABLE.
Inscribed to the Grand Federal Convention
THE careful sire of old, who found
Death coming, called his sons around.
They heard with reverence what he spake,
"Here!—try this bunch of sticks to break."
They took the bundle, every swain,
Endeavoured, but the task was vain.
"Observe," the dying father cried,
And took the sticks himself and tried ;
When separated, lo! how quick
He breaks asunder every stick !
"Learn, my dear boys, by this example,
So strong, so pertinent, so ample,
That union saves you all from ruin,
But to divide is your undoing,
For if you take them one by one,
See with what ease the task is done!"
Singly—how quickly broke in twain,
How firm the aggregate THIRTEEN.
Is not the tale, Columbians, clear ?
What application needs there here ?
This motto to your hearts apply,
Ye Senators, UNITE or DIE."
NESTOR.
The OLD MAN'S ADVICE.
A FABLE.
Inscribed to the Grand Federal Convention
THE careful sire of old, who found
Death coming, called his sons around.
They heard with reverence what he spake,
"Here!—try this bunch of sticks to break."
They took the bundle, every swain,
Endeavoured, but the task was vain.
"Observe," the dying father cried,
And took the sticks himself and tried ;
When separated, lo! how quick
He breaks asunder every stick !
"Learn, my dear boys, by this example,
So strong, so pertinent, so ample,
That union saves you all from ruin,
But to divide is your undoing,
For if you take them one by one,
See with what ease the task is done!"
Singly—how quickly broke in twain,
How firm the aggregate THIRTEEN.
Is not the tale, Columbians, clear ?
What application needs there here ?
This motto to your hearts apply,
Ye Senators, UNITE or DIE."
NESTOR.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Independence
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Union
Federal Convention
Fable
Thirteen States
Political Unity
What entities or persons were involved?
Nestor.
Poem Details
Title
The Old Man's Advice.
Author
Nestor.
Subject
Inscribed To The Grand Federal Convention
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"That Union Saves You All From Ruin, But To Divide Is Your Undoing,"
"Ye Senators, Unite Or Die."
"How Firm The Aggregate Thirteen."