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Poem
August 26, 1850
Republican Vindicator
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem inspired by Psalm 55:6, expressing a universal longing for escape from life's burdens to find rest in death, progressing from youth's illusions to age's grief and loss.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
"Oh, that I had the wings of the dove, that I might flee away and be at rest."
So prayed the Psalmist to be free From mortal bonds and earthly thrall And such, or soon or late, shall be Full of the heart-breathed prayer of all; And when life's latest sands we rove, With faltering soul and aching breast, Shall sigh for wings that waft the dove, To flee away and be at rest.
While hearts are young and hopes are high, A fairy dream doth life appear; Its sighing are beauty to the eye. Its sounds are music to the ear; But soon it glides from youth to age; And of its joys no more possessed. We like the captive of the cage. Would flee away and be at rest.
Is ours fair woman's angel smile, All bright and beautiful as day? So of her cheek and eye the while. Time steals the rose and dims the ray; She wanders in the spirit land, And we, with speechless grief oppressed. As o'er the mouldering form we stand, Would gladly share her place of rest.
Beyond the hills, beyond the sea, Oh, for the pinions of a dove! Oh, for the morning's wings to flee Away and be with those I love! When all is fled that's bright and fair, And life is but a wintry waste, This, this at last must be our prayer; To "flee away and be at rest."
Knickerbocker.
"Oh, that I had the wings of the dove, that I might flee away and be at rest."
So prayed the Psalmist to be free From mortal bonds and earthly thrall And such, or soon or late, shall be Full of the heart-breathed prayer of all; And when life's latest sands we rove, With faltering soul and aching breast, Shall sigh for wings that waft the dove, To flee away and be at rest.
While hearts are young and hopes are high, A fairy dream doth life appear; Its sighing are beauty to the eye. Its sounds are music to the ear; But soon it glides from youth to age; And of its joys no more possessed. We like the captive of the cage. Would flee away and be at rest.
Is ours fair woman's angel smile, All bright and beautiful as day? So of her cheek and eye the while. Time steals the rose and dims the ray; She wanders in the spirit land, And we, with speechless grief oppressed. As o'er the mouldering form we stand, Would gladly share her place of rest.
Beyond the hills, beyond the sea, Oh, for the pinions of a dove! Oh, for the morning's wings to flee Away and be with those I love! When all is fled that's bright and fair, And life is but a wintry waste, This, this at last must be our prayer; To "flee away and be at rest."
Knickerbocker.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Psalmist Prayer
Wings Of Dove
Life Burdens
Mortality Rest
Youth To Age
Grief Loss
What entities or persons were involved?
Knickerbocker.
Poem Details
Author
Knickerbocker.
Key Lines
"Oh, That I Had The Wings Of The Dove, That I Might Flee Away And Be At Rest."
So Prayed The Psalmist To Be Free From Mortal Bonds And Earthly Thrall
We Like The Captive Of The Cage. Would Flee Away And Be At Rest.
Time Steals The Rose And Dims The Ray;
To "Flee Away And Be At Rest."