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Poem
June 10, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A moral poem on envy and detraction, addressed 'To' an unnamed recipient, using metaphors like snow, ice, blossoms, and wasps to illustrate how slander attacks virtue, advocating patience over revenge as malice will self-destruct.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
On ENVY and DETRACTION
To
It must be own'd in vain we guard
Against SLANDER's envious tongue,
Tho' virtue is its own REWARD,
Yet VIRTUE will be STUNG.
Were you as pure as spotless snow,
As clear as crystal ICE,
Yet slander, virtue's native FOE,
Would call this virtue VICE.
Where virtue most conspicuous show
There MALICE frets most bent,
Thus where the sweetest BLOSSOM blows.
There WASPS will most frequent.
What fence can ward against the fiend
The means how dearly bought.
The price for slander to your FRIEND,
But MERIT scorns it NAUGHT.
Let PATIENCE scorn their selfish views,
For MALICE patience dreads,
For sure the STORM that threatens yours,
Must BURST upon their HEADS.
Tho' DIRTY SCHEMES demand their care,
REVENGE like them detest,
For DIRTY will harbour any where,
But in an HONEST BREAST.
On ENVY and DETRACTION
To
It must be own'd in vain we guard
Against SLANDER's envious tongue,
Tho' virtue is its own REWARD,
Yet VIRTUE will be STUNG.
Were you as pure as spotless snow,
As clear as crystal ICE,
Yet slander, virtue's native FOE,
Would call this virtue VICE.
Where virtue most conspicuous show
There MALICE frets most bent,
Thus where the sweetest BLOSSOM blows.
There WASPS will most frequent.
What fence can ward against the fiend
The means how dearly bought.
The price for slander to your FRIEND,
But MERIT scorns it NAUGHT.
Let PATIENCE scorn their selfish views,
For MALICE patience dreads,
For sure the STORM that threatens yours,
Must BURST upon their HEADS.
Tho' DIRTY SCHEMES demand their care,
REVENGE like them detest,
For DIRTY will harbour any where,
But in an HONEST BREAST.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Envy
Detraction
Slander
Virtue
Malice
Patience
Revenge
Poem Details
Title
On Envy And Detraction
Subject
Envy And Detraction
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
It Must Be Own'd In Vain We Guard
Against Slander's Envious Tongue,
Tho' Virtue Is Its Own Reward,
Yet Virtue Will Be Stung.
Were You As Pure As Spotless Snow,
As Clear As Crystal Ice,
Yet Slander, Virtue's Native Foe,
Would Call This Virtue Vice.
Let Patience Scorn Their Selfish Views,
For Malice Patience Dreads,
For Sure The Storm That Threatens Yours,
Must Burst Upon Their Heads.