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Poem
May 11, 1804
Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem addressing Contentment as a gentle power sought in nature, domestic joys, and family life, ultimately pleading for it to dwell in the speaker's beloved Celia to ensure shared happiness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The following sweet lines to Content
will remind the Poetical reader
Cunningham's beautiful ballad,
O'er the wild heath at early dawn,
I trace thy footsteps gentle power!
At noon, retiring from the lawn.
I seek thee in the shadowy bower
When chilling blasts and nightly dews
Warn me to quit the drooping grove
I woo thee to inspire the muse,
Or bless the hours of social love.
And while our offspring void of guile
Around in sportive frolics join;
I watch the fond maternal smile.
Of her whose every joy is mine.
Ah! sweet Contentment; heavenly maid
Wilt thou not hear thy votary's prayer
Nor the gay sports, nor silent shade
Nor soft domestic pleasures share.
Vain were the hope true love disdains
The joys that reach itself alone
It saddens at another's pains.
It glows with rapture not its own.
As the pale orb of Cynthia throws
Its borrow'd lustre o'er the night.
My soul no native transport knows,
It shines but with reflected light.
Come then, dear Goddess, fix thy reign
In my lov'd Celia's gentle breast;
Chase anxious care, quell murmuring pain,
And, blessing her, preserve me blest.
will remind the Poetical reader
Cunningham's beautiful ballad,
O'er the wild heath at early dawn,
I trace thy footsteps gentle power!
At noon, retiring from the lawn.
I seek thee in the shadowy bower
When chilling blasts and nightly dews
Warn me to quit the drooping grove
I woo thee to inspire the muse,
Or bless the hours of social love.
And while our offspring void of guile
Around in sportive frolics join;
I watch the fond maternal smile.
Of her whose every joy is mine.
Ah! sweet Contentment; heavenly maid
Wilt thou not hear thy votary's prayer
Nor the gay sports, nor silent shade
Nor soft domestic pleasures share.
Vain were the hope true love disdains
The joys that reach itself alone
It saddens at another's pains.
It glows with rapture not its own.
As the pale orb of Cynthia throws
Its borrow'd lustre o'er the night.
My soul no native transport knows,
It shines but with reflected light.
Come then, dear Goddess, fix thy reign
In my lov'd Celia's gentle breast;
Chase anxious care, quell murmuring pain,
And, blessing her, preserve me blest.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Love Courtship
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Contentment
Celia
Domestic Love
Nature Bower
Family Frolics
Reflected Light
Poem Details
Title
To Content
Subject
Address To Contentment
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
O'er The Wild Heath At Early Dawn, / I Trace Thy Footsteps Gentle Power!
Ah! Sweet Contentment; Heavenly Maid / Wilt Thou Not Hear Thy Votary's Prayer
Come Then, Dear Goddess, Fix Thy Reign / In My Lov'd Celia's Gentle Breast; / Chase Anxious Care, Quell Murmuring Pain, / And, Blessing Her, Preserve Me Blest.