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Poem
December 3, 1823
Massachusetts Spy And Worcester Advertiser
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
An ode reflecting on the uncertainty and transience of life's pleasures—hope, love, fame, wealth, beauty—and urging a generous mind to live morally, pity others, and face death bravely.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the N. Y. American.
The following Ode is in too good a vein, both
of poetry and morality, not to be relished by
our readers;~
ODE.
Ah, who has power to say,
To-morrow's sun shall warmer glow
And o'er this gloomy vale of woe
Diffuse a brighter ray?
Ah, who is ever sure,
Tho' all that can the soul delight
This hour enchants the wand'ring sight
These raptures will endure!
Is there in life's dull toil
One certain moment of repose,
One ray to dissipate our woes,
And bid reflection smile?
We seek hope's gentle aid:
We think the lovely phantom pours
Her balmly incense on those flow'rs
Which blossom but to fade.
We court love's thrilling dart ;
And when we think our joy supreme,
We find its raptures but a dream,-
Its boon-a wounded heart,
We pant for glittering fame;
And when pale envy blots the page
That might have charm'd a future age,
We find 'tis but a name.
We toil for paltry ore;
And when we gain the golden prize,
And death appears, with aching eyes
We view the useless store.
How frail is beauty's bloom!
The dimpled cheek, the sparkling eye
Scarce seen before their wonders fly
To decorate a tomb.
Then since this fleeting breath
Is but the zephyr of a day,
Let conscience make each minute gay,
And brave the shafts of death.
And let the gen'rous mind
With pity view the erring throng,
Applaud the right, forgive the wrong,
And feel for all mankind!
The following Ode is in too good a vein, both
of poetry and morality, not to be relished by
our readers;~
ODE.
Ah, who has power to say,
To-morrow's sun shall warmer glow
And o'er this gloomy vale of woe
Diffuse a brighter ray?
Ah, who is ever sure,
Tho' all that can the soul delight
This hour enchants the wand'ring sight
These raptures will endure!
Is there in life's dull toil
One certain moment of repose,
One ray to dissipate our woes,
And bid reflection smile?
We seek hope's gentle aid:
We think the lovely phantom pours
Her balmly incense on those flow'rs
Which blossom but to fade.
We court love's thrilling dart ;
And when we think our joy supreme,
We find its raptures but a dream,-
Its boon-a wounded heart,
We pant for glittering fame;
And when pale envy blots the page
That might have charm'd a future age,
We find 'tis but a name.
We toil for paltry ore;
And when we gain the golden prize,
And death appears, with aching eyes
We view the useless store.
How frail is beauty's bloom!
The dimpled cheek, the sparkling eye
Scarce seen before their wonders fly
To decorate a tomb.
Then since this fleeting breath
Is but the zephyr of a day,
Let conscience make each minute gay,
And brave the shafts of death.
And let the gen'rous mind
With pity view the erring throng,
Applaud the right, forgive the wrong,
And feel for all mankind!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Life Transience
Vanity Pursuits
Moral Reflection
Death Inevitability
Conscience Guidance
Poem Details
Title
Ode.
Key Lines
Ah, Who Has Power To Say, / To Morrow's Sun Shall Warmer Glow / And O'er This Gloomy Vale Of Woe / Diffuse A Brighter Ray?
Then Since This Fleeting Breath / Is But The Zephyr Of A Day, / Let Conscience Make Each Minute Gay, / And Brave The Shafts Of Death.
And Let The Gen'rous Mind / With Pity View The Erring Throng, / Applaud The Right, Forgive The Wrong, / And Feel For All Mankind!