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Poem
March 19, 1879
The Princeton Union
Princeton, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
The poem envisions painting a vivid sign for a rumseller depicting the temptation and moral downfall of a young boy through alcohol, as a warning against selling rum.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
I will paint you a sign, rumseller,
And hang it above your door:
A truer and better sign-board
Than ever you had before.
I will paint with the skill of a master
And many shall pause to see
This wonderful piece of painting,
So like the reality.
I will paint you a sign, rumseller,
As you wait for that fair young boy,
Just in the morn of manhood."
A mother's pride and joy
He has no thought of stopping.
But you greet him with a smile
And you seem so blithe and friendly
That he pauses to chat awhile.
I will paint you again, rumseller
I will paint you as you stand
With a foaming glass of liquor
Holding in either hand.)
He wavers, but you urge him: "Trot
"Drink! pledge me just this one!"
And he lifts the glass and drinks it.
And the hellish work is done.
That are born there in your rumshop,
No hand can paint you know:
But I'll paint you a sign, rumseller,
And many will pause to view
This wonderful sign board.
So terribly, fearfully true.
And hang it above your door:
A truer and better sign-board
Than ever you had before.
I will paint with the skill of a master
And many shall pause to see
This wonderful piece of painting,
So like the reality.
I will paint you a sign, rumseller,
As you wait for that fair young boy,
Just in the morn of manhood."
A mother's pride and joy
He has no thought of stopping.
But you greet him with a smile
And you seem so blithe and friendly
That he pauses to chat awhile.
I will paint you again, rumseller
I will paint you as you stand
With a foaming glass of liquor
Holding in either hand.)
He wavers, but you urge him: "Trot
"Drink! pledge me just this one!"
And he lifts the glass and drinks it.
And the hellish work is done.
That are born there in your rumshop,
No hand can paint you know:
But I'll paint you a sign, rumseller,
And many will pause to view
This wonderful sign board.
So terribly, fearfully true.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Temperance Moderation
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Rumseller
Temperance
Young Boy
Alcohol Temptation
Moral Warning
Sign Board
Poem Details
Key Lines
I Will Paint You A Sign, Rumseller,
And He Lifts The Glass And Drinks It.
And The Hellish Work Is Done.
So Terribly, Fearfully True.