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Poem
March 29, 1838
Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem reflecting on human endurance against losses like wealth, home, health, and slander, sustained by inner innocence and hope, but ultimately undone by a wounded spirit lacking self-respect.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
"A wounded spirit, who can bear!"
YES, take it all—wrest from his hand
The very props of life—
Leave him, unsheltered to withstand
Misfortune's direst strife;—
Give to the winds his hoarded wealth,
Give to the flames his home
Steal from his cheek the hue of health,
And bid him friendless roam;—
Let even foul-mouthed slander feed
Upon his spotless name,
And those he counted friends indeed
Avoid him as in shame;—
Erect and free, his spirit still
An inward power sustains.
Which all the varied forms of ill
May beat upon in vain.
A conscious innocence and truth,
A deep abiding hope,
Like living springs of health and youth,
Still bear the spirit up.
But wound him there—steal from his heart
That inward self-respect—
Bid, one by one, his hopes depart,
With fame and fortune wrecked—
And you have bowed that spirit down;—
Come loss—come grief—come care!
But oh! a wounded spirit none,
Of mortal mould, can bear!
"A wounded spirit, who can bear!"
YES, take it all—wrest from his hand
The very props of life—
Leave him, unsheltered to withstand
Misfortune's direst strife;—
Give to the winds his hoarded wealth,
Give to the flames his home
Steal from his cheek the hue of health,
And bid him friendless roam;—
Let even foul-mouthed slander feed
Upon his spotless name,
And those he counted friends indeed
Avoid him as in shame;—
Erect and free, his spirit still
An inward power sustains.
Which all the varied forms of ill
May beat upon in vain.
A conscious innocence and truth,
A deep abiding hope,
Like living springs of health and youth,
Still bear the spirit up.
But wound him there—steal from his heart
That inward self-respect—
Bid, one by one, his hopes depart,
With fame and fortune wrecked—
And you have bowed that spirit down;—
Come loss—come grief—come care!
But oh! a wounded spirit none,
Of mortal mould, can bear!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Wounded Spirit
Misfortune
Innocence
Self Respect
Resilience
Poem Details
Title
"A Wounded Spirit, Who Can Bear!"
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
Yes, Take It All—Wrest From His Hand
The Very Props Of Life—
A Conscious Innocence And Truth,
A Deep Abiding Hope,
Like Living Springs Of Health And Youth,
Still Bear The Spirit Up.
But Oh! A Wounded Spirit None,
Of Mortal Mould, Can Bear!