Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
September 22, 1774
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
An epitaph honoring a faithful servant's life of obedience, temperance, moral firmness, and goodness, despite lacking wealth or fame. It notes his master's love and envisions eternal liberty as his heavenly reward.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
EPITAPH ON A FAITHFUL SERVANT.
SHOULD full-blown Pride, in taunting Accent, say
What mighty Deeds have dignify'd this Clay
Or was he rich in Fortune, or in Blood?
Ah, he was more, much more, for he was good!
His Life in Service and Obedience spent,
He gain'd not Riches, but he gain'd Content;
Whilst o'er himself he kept a strict Controul,
And heap'd up Treasures that enrich the Soul.
Of Temperance try'd, a never ready Hand,
A yielding Nature, pliant to Command;
Yet firm in Morals, resolutely just,
Of softest Manners, but a Rock in Trust.
His Sense was plain, nor yet his Converse rude,
A feeling Heart, that teem'd with Gratitude.
For this thy Kindred mourn thy early Doom,
Thy Master lov'd thee, and inscribes thy Tomb.
Go, take thy Wages now, by Heaven's Decree.
Where Service is eternal Liberty.
SHOULD full-blown Pride, in taunting Accent, say
What mighty Deeds have dignify'd this Clay
Or was he rich in Fortune, or in Blood?
Ah, he was more, much more, for he was good!
His Life in Service and Obedience spent,
He gain'd not Riches, but he gain'd Content;
Whilst o'er himself he kept a strict Controul,
And heap'd up Treasures that enrich the Soul.
Of Temperance try'd, a never ready Hand,
A yielding Nature, pliant to Command;
Yet firm in Morals, resolutely just,
Of softest Manners, but a Rock in Trust.
His Sense was plain, nor yet his Converse rude,
A feeling Heart, that teem'd with Gratitude.
For this thy Kindred mourn thy early Doom,
Thy Master lov'd thee, and inscribes thy Tomb.
Go, take thy Wages now, by Heaven's Decree.
Where Service is eternal Liberty.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epitaph
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Epitaph
Faithful Servant
Virtue
Obedience
Temperance
Heavenly Reward
Poem Details
Title
Epitaph On A Faithful Servant.
Subject
On A Faithful Servant
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Ah, He Was More, Much More, For He Was Good!
Thy Master Lov'd Thee, And Inscribes Thy Tomb.
Go, Take Thy Wages Now, By Heaven's Decree.
Where Service Is Eternal Liberty.