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Poem
May 23, 1820
Elizabeth Town Gazette
Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
A philosophical poem reflecting on life's transience and illusions, its struggles with vice and sorrow, and its divine origin as a path to eternity through faith.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
*POETRY.*
From the New-Hampshire Patriot.
What's life? the meteor's lurid glare;
That shoots athwart the sky:
We gaze, 'tis gone, nor vestige there,
Nor trace can we espy.
'Tis transient as the morning dew,
'Tis fading as the rainbow's hue,
'Tis passing as the boreal light,
Just hails the day to sink in night.
What's life? a dream, delusion all.
The sport of passion's gale;
The morn's high hope ere noon shall fall,
Its mirth be lost in wail.
It is a strife where vice prevails,
It is a field where woe assails,
Where ruin stalks his lordly round,
Where sorrow, sin, and sighs abound.
What's life? the breath of God, the boon of heaven
Rich gift! no price can buy
The allowed hour to mortals given,
To fit for joys on high.
It is a flame survives the sun,
It is eternity begun;
Tho' dim the dawn, and rough the road,
The Saviour's arm can lead to God.
From the New-Hampshire Patriot.
What's life? the meteor's lurid glare;
That shoots athwart the sky:
We gaze, 'tis gone, nor vestige there,
Nor trace can we espy.
'Tis transient as the morning dew,
'Tis fading as the rainbow's hue,
'Tis passing as the boreal light,
Just hails the day to sink in night.
What's life? a dream, delusion all.
The sport of passion's gale;
The morn's high hope ere noon shall fall,
Its mirth be lost in wail.
It is a strife where vice prevails,
It is a field where woe assails,
Where ruin stalks his lordly round,
Where sorrow, sin, and sighs abound.
What's life? the breath of God, the boon of heaven
Rich gift! no price can buy
The allowed hour to mortals given,
To fit for joys on high.
It is a flame survives the sun,
It is eternity begun;
Tho' dim the dawn, and rough the road,
The Saviour's arm can lead to God.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Life Transience
Mortality Reflection
Divine Gift
Eternity
Vice Sorrow
Saviour Faith
Poem Details
Subject
Meditation On The Nature Of Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains With Refrain
Key Lines
What's Life? The Meteor's Lurid Glare;
'Tis Transient As The Morning Dew,
What's Life? A Dream, Delusion All.
What's Life? The Breath Of God, The Boon Of Heaven
It Is Eternity Begun;