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Poem
January 10, 1821
The Hillsborough Recorder
Hillsboro, Orange County, North Carolina
What is this article about?
Poem by Mrs. Barbauld, written at age 95, reflects on the changing perspectives on death from youth's reluctance, through life's duties and losses, to old age's acceptance as a natural boon, with faith bringing triumph.
Clipping
OCR Quality
97%
Excellent
Full Text
From the New-York Literary Journal.
The following verses will, we doubt not, be acceptable to our readers, who cannot be ignorant of the merit of the author. We were favoured with a copy by a lady, who received them from a friend, to whom they were presented by Mrs. Barbauld. We believe they have not yet appeared in print.
A THOUGHT ON DEATH.
BY MRS. BARBAULD.
Written lately at the age of ninety-five.
When life as opening buds is sweet,
And golden hopes the fancy greet,
And youth prepares his joys to meet,
Alas! how hard it is to die!
When scarce is seized some valued prize
And duties press, and tender ties
Forbid the soul from earth to rise,
How awful then it is to die!
When one by one, those ties are torn,
And friend from friend is snatched forlorn,
And man is left alone to mourn,
Ah! then—how easy 'tis to die!
When faith is strong, and conscience clear,
And words of peace the spirit cheer,
And vision'd glories half appear,
'Tis joy—'tis triumph then to die!
When trembling limbs refuse the weight,
And films slow-gathering dim the sight,
And clouds obscure the mental light,
'Tis nature's precious boon to die!
The following verses will, we doubt not, be acceptable to our readers, who cannot be ignorant of the merit of the author. We were favoured with a copy by a lady, who received them from a friend, to whom they were presented by Mrs. Barbauld. We believe they have not yet appeared in print.
A THOUGHT ON DEATH.
BY MRS. BARBAULD.
Written lately at the age of ninety-five.
When life as opening buds is sweet,
And golden hopes the fancy greet,
And youth prepares his joys to meet,
Alas! how hard it is to die!
When scarce is seized some valued prize
And duties press, and tender ties
Forbid the soul from earth to rise,
How awful then it is to die!
When one by one, those ties are torn,
And friend from friend is snatched forlorn,
And man is left alone to mourn,
Ah! then—how easy 'tis to die!
When faith is strong, and conscience clear,
And words of peace the spirit cheer,
And vision'd glories half appear,
'Tis joy—'tis triumph then to die!
When trembling limbs refuse the weight,
And films slow-gathering dim the sight,
And clouds obscure the mental light,
'Tis nature's precious boon to die!
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Death Reflection
Aging
Faith Consolation
Life Stages
Barbauld Poem
What entities or persons were involved?
By Mrs. Barbauld.
Poem Details
Title
A Thought On Death.
Author
By Mrs. Barbauld.
Subject
Written Lately At The Age Of Ninety Five.
Form / Style
Quatrains With Abab Rhyme Scheme
Key Lines
Alas! How Hard It Is To Die!
How Awful Then It Is To Die!
Ah! Then—How Easy 'Tis To Die!
'Tis Joy—'Tis Triumph Then To Die!
'Tis Nature's Precious Boon To Die!