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Poem
August 3, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
An imitation of Horace's 'Integer Vitae' praising virtue as an impregnable fortress, especially for brave youth fighting in defense of their country during the American Revolution. Attributed to 'A FRIEND TO VIRTUE' from Sussex, dated July 17, 1776.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Mess. DIXON & HUNTER,
The following imitation of Horace's INTEGER VITAE is recommended to our brave youth now fighting in defence of their country, by
A FRIEND TO VIRTUE.
Sussex, July 17, 1776.
He needs no arms for his defence
That's fortify'd with innocence.
Virtue's a fort impregnable:
No fortune can molest
Him who hath that within his breast:
He nobly bears the ill.
And uses well the best.
Let him be cast where no kind heat
The frozen earth doth recreate;
Or where the scorching dog-star reigns,
And sucks the kindly dew from off the parched plains;
Nay, set him in the midst of war,
Where naught but danger lies,
No glimpse of safety there to bless his eyes,
And only death and horror all around appear—
His virtue there will be
His fortress and security,
Against the dire effects of fate.
To him death cannot bitter be
That lives up to the standard of morality.
It hastens his reward, and is the only gate
To a much better, or at least, a much more quiet state.
The following imitation of Horace's INTEGER VITAE is recommended to our brave youth now fighting in defence of their country, by
A FRIEND TO VIRTUE.
Sussex, July 17, 1776.
He needs no arms for his defence
That's fortify'd with innocence.
Virtue's a fort impregnable:
No fortune can molest
Him who hath that within his breast:
He nobly bears the ill.
And uses well the best.
Let him be cast where no kind heat
The frozen earth doth recreate;
Or where the scorching dog-star reigns,
And sucks the kindly dew from off the parched plains;
Nay, set him in the midst of war,
Where naught but danger lies,
No glimpse of safety there to bless his eyes,
And only death and horror all around appear—
His virtue there will be
His fortress and security,
Against the dire effects of fate.
To him death cannot bitter be
That lives up to the standard of morality.
It hastens his reward, and is the only gate
To a much better, or at least, a much more quiet state.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
War Military
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Virtue
Innocence
War
Defence
Country
Morality
Death
Fortress
Horace
Imitation
What entities or persons were involved?
A Friend To Virtue
Poem Details
Author
A Friend To Virtue
Subject
Recommended To Our Brave Youth Now Fighting In Defence Of Their Country
Form / Style
Imitation Of Horace's Integer Vitae In Rhymed Verse
Key Lines
He Needs No Arms For His Defence
That's Fortify'd With Innocence.
Virtue's A Fort Impregnable:
Nay, Set Him In The Midst Of War,
Where Naught But Danger Lies,
No Glimpse Of Safety There To Bless His Eyes,
And Only Death And Horror All Around Appear—
To Him Death Cannot Bitter Be
That Lives Up To The Standard Of Morality.
It Hastens His Reward, And Is The Only Gate
To A Much Better, Or At Least, A Much More Quiet State.