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Poem
October 9, 1817
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem denouncing detractors, envious individuals who slander and undermine others' reputations through flattery and secret attacks, emphasizing the value of one's good name over material wealth.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Cincinnati Western Spy
DETRACTORS.
I never smile on whom I hate,
Nor censure without cause;
I court no one for being great,
Nor envy his applause.
I hate that man of envious mind,
Whose soul no other joys can find,
But in the waste of some one's name,
Or in despoiling honest fame.
I hate that man who, Judas like.
Can smile, and at the same time strike
His scorpion-sting, of envious hate,
Into the bosom of the great.
I hate that sordid heart so base,
Who'll praise and flatter to your face,
But out of sight, will strive to set
You down in color black as jet.
Think, wicked man, before you doom
My character to Envy's tomb,
That my fair name on earth's my all,
On this reck each must stand or fall.
And, think, you rob me not of health,
Of sordid gold, or paltry pelf,
But of a Gem more rich, more true,
Than all the mines of old Peru.
And, he who's tried in Scandal's court,
Is still of knaves and fools the sport,
He's acquitted by her most rigid laws,
The culprit's quitted with applause.
DETRACTORS.
I never smile on whom I hate,
Nor censure without cause;
I court no one for being great,
Nor envy his applause.
I hate that man of envious mind,
Whose soul no other joys can find,
But in the waste of some one's name,
Or in despoiling honest fame.
I hate that man who, Judas like.
Can smile, and at the same time strike
His scorpion-sting, of envious hate,
Into the bosom of the great.
I hate that sordid heart so base,
Who'll praise and flatter to your face,
But out of sight, will strive to set
You down in color black as jet.
Think, wicked man, before you doom
My character to Envy's tomb,
That my fair name on earth's my all,
On this reck each must stand or fall.
And, think, you rob me not of health,
Of sordid gold, or paltry pelf,
But of a Gem more rich, more true,
Than all the mines of old Peru.
And, he who's tried in Scandal's court,
Is still of knaves and fools the sport,
He's acquitted by her most rigid laws,
The culprit's quitted with applause.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Detractors
Envy
Scandal
Reputation
Slander
Flattery
Moral Critique
Poem Details
Title
Detractors.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
I Hate That Man Of Envious Mind,
Whose Soul No Other Joys Can Find,
But In The Waste Of Some One's Name,
Or In Despoiling Honest Fame.
I Hate That Man Who, Judas Like.
Can Smile, And At The Same Time Strike
His Scorpion Sting, Of Envious Hate,
Into The Bosom Of The Great.
Think, Wicked Man, Before You Doom
My Character To Envy's Tomb,
That My Fair Name On Earth's My All,
On This Reck Each Must Stand Or Fall.