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Poem
October 17, 1808
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
A poetic fragment portraying the grave as a serene refuge from life's anguish, calumny, envy, social distinctions, and oppression, where virtue finds peace and pride is stripped away.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A FRAGMENT.
* * * * * * In the sheltering grave the woefraught heart will be at ease : the clouds of anguish which darken life's short day pervade not that still retreat. The poisonous breath of calumny, and the envenomed tongue of envy, here lose their corroding influence.-The sympathetic mind, agonized by distress, and unable to support the storm of ill-fortune, sinks calmly into the embrace of death, into the placid enjoyment of uninterrupted tranquility. Oppressed virtue finds a secure asylum from overbearing greatness; and the upbraiding charity of proud opulence is no longer painful to its object. The distinctions in society, which consign merit to oblivion, and raise the worthless from the dust, are here forgotten. Unfeeling pride is disrobed of its splendid covering, and the gorgeous mantle is torn from the shoulders of the undeserving. Humble worth ceases to kneel suppliant at the feet of affluence, and the lorn offspring of poverty fails to entreat from avarice the trinketed boon.-The victim of malevolence, who essays in vain, to parry the thrusts of unmerited obloquy, glad that in death the dagger of contumely wounds not, welcomes with joyous aspect the closing period.
* * * * * * In the sheltering grave the woefraught heart will be at ease : the clouds of anguish which darken life's short day pervade not that still retreat. The poisonous breath of calumny, and the envenomed tongue of envy, here lose their corroding influence.-The sympathetic mind, agonized by distress, and unable to support the storm of ill-fortune, sinks calmly into the embrace of death, into the placid enjoyment of uninterrupted tranquility. Oppressed virtue finds a secure asylum from overbearing greatness; and the upbraiding charity of proud opulence is no longer painful to its object. The distinctions in society, which consign merit to oblivion, and raise the worthless from the dust, are here forgotten. Unfeeling pride is disrobed of its splendid covering, and the gorgeous mantle is torn from the shoulders of the undeserving. Humble worth ceases to kneel suppliant at the feet of affluence, and the lorn offspring of poverty fails to entreat from avarice the trinketed boon.-The victim of malevolence, who essays in vain, to parry the thrusts of unmerited obloquy, glad that in death the dagger of contumely wounds not, welcomes with joyous aspect the closing period.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Death Refuge
Grave Peace
Calumny Envy
Oppressed Virtue
Social Distinctions
Poverty Avarice
Malevolence Obloquy
Poem Details
Title
A Fragment.
Key Lines
In The Sheltering Grave The Woefraught Heart Will Be At Ease : The Clouds Of Anguish Which Darken Life's Short Day Pervade Not That Still Retreat.
Oppressed Virtue Finds A Secure Asylum From Overbearing Greatness;
The Distinctions In Society, Which Consign Merit To Oblivion, And Raise The Worthless From The Dust, Are Here Forgotten.
Humble Worth Ceases To Kneel Suppliant At The Feet Of Affluence,