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Poem
February 25, 1817
The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
The poem reflects on the futility of worldly pursuits like time, health, avarice, ambition, power, pleasure, wealth, and fame, concluding that true value lies in seeking truth and virtue to live joyfully and die without fear.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Thievish time may cease his stealth,
Age may bloom in rosy health,
And av'rice wallow in his wealth;
What then!
While laurel wreaths his brows surround,
Ambition is with empire crown'd,
Time its space and earth its bound;
What then?
All nothing: Power is but a name,
Pleasure is a taper's flame,
Dust is wealth, and breath is fame;
What then?
O, then, in truth's delightful bowers,
Deck'd with amaranthine flowers,
Strive, as joy wings all the hours,
To live.
O, then, in virtue seek the charm
Life's goods to crown, and ills disarm,
And teach, at last, without alarm,
To die.
Age may bloom in rosy health,
And av'rice wallow in his wealth;
What then!
While laurel wreaths his brows surround,
Ambition is with empire crown'd,
Time its space and earth its bound;
What then?
All nothing: Power is but a name,
Pleasure is a taper's flame,
Dust is wealth, and breath is fame;
What then?
O, then, in truth's delightful bowers,
Deck'd with amaranthine flowers,
Strive, as joy wings all the hours,
To live.
O, then, in virtue seek the charm
Life's goods to crown, and ills disarm,
And teach, at last, without alarm,
To die.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Vanity
Time
Wealth
Ambition
Power
Pleasure
Virtue
Death
Moral Instruction
Poem Details
Form / Style
Rhymed Triplets With Refrain
Key Lines
What Then!
All Nothing: Power Is But A Name,
Pleasure Is A Taper's Flame,
Dust Is Wealth, And Breath Is Fame;
What Then?
O, Then, In Truth's Delightful Bowers,
Deck'd With Amaranthine Flowers,
Strive, As Joy Wings All The Hours,
To Live.
O, Then, In Virtue Seek The Charm
Life's Goods To Crown, And Ills Disarm,
And Teach, At Last, Without Alarm,
To Die.