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Poem
May 27, 1773
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem in rhymed couplets addressed to 'Amanda' explores true happiness, concluding it stems from inner virtue and innocence, not worldly possessions, and ultimately points to heavenly bliss beyond earthly trials. Dated Williamsburg, May 13, 1773.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
To a Lady who desired to be informed where she might find true HAPPINESS.
WHAT is true Happiness?
Can it in Courts among the Great abide?
Or does she in the rural Cot reside?
Where Pleasure sports is she suppos'd to dwell
Or shall we seek her in the cloister'd Cell?
Is she attendant on the Brave and Bold?
Or can the Wealthy purchase her with Gold?
May Beauty boast, or Wit or Wisdom claim,
The full Possession of the heavenly Dame?
Yields she to Strength? Or (say) can Health secure
This Treasure perfect, permanent, and pure?
Speak, O my Friend, and your Amanda bless;
Tell me what is, and where is, HAPPINESS?
True Happiness, Amanda, well you know,
Cannot from outward Acquisitions flow,
That Mind's her Throne whose uniform Defence
Is Rectitude of Thought and Innocence;
And to the Virtuous only she'll impart
The tranquil Feelings of a quiet Heart.
But ah! even such can but a Season prove
This Foretaste of the Bliss which reigns above:
Sons may be summon'd, Husbands forc'd away,
And every Friend consign'd to Kindred Clay;
Waves may o'erwhelm, or the devouring Flame
In one dread Moment all their Substance claim;
Each earthly Good may from their Grasp be torn,
And make them wish they never had been born.
Shall they not then their noblest Hopes extend,
Beyond those Blessings which so quickly end!
Shall they not cast with generous Scorn aside
The World's vain-glorious Pageantry and Pride!
Shall they not bravely struggle with Distress,
Still pushing forward towards true Happiness;
And with exalted Sentiments aspire
To Heaven, the End and Aim of their Desire!
WILLIAMSBURG, May 13, 1773.
To a Lady who desired to be informed where she might find true HAPPINESS.
WHAT is true Happiness?
Can it in Courts among the Great abide?
Or does she in the rural Cot reside?
Where Pleasure sports is she suppos'd to dwell
Or shall we seek her in the cloister'd Cell?
Is she attendant on the Brave and Bold?
Or can the Wealthy purchase her with Gold?
May Beauty boast, or Wit or Wisdom claim,
The full Possession of the heavenly Dame?
Yields she to Strength? Or (say) can Health secure
This Treasure perfect, permanent, and pure?
Speak, O my Friend, and your Amanda bless;
Tell me what is, and where is, HAPPINESS?
True Happiness, Amanda, well you know,
Cannot from outward Acquisitions flow,
That Mind's her Throne whose uniform Defence
Is Rectitude of Thought and Innocence;
And to the Virtuous only she'll impart
The tranquil Feelings of a quiet Heart.
But ah! even such can but a Season prove
This Foretaste of the Bliss which reigns above:
Sons may be summon'd, Husbands forc'd away,
And every Friend consign'd to Kindred Clay;
Waves may o'erwhelm, or the devouring Flame
In one dread Moment all their Substance claim;
Each earthly Good may from their Grasp be torn,
And make them wish they never had been born.
Shall they not then their noblest Hopes extend,
Beyond those Blessings which so quickly end!
Shall they not cast with generous Scorn aside
The World's vain-glorious Pageantry and Pride!
Shall they not bravely struggle with Distress,
Still pushing forward towards true Happiness;
And with exalted Sentiments aspire
To Heaven, the End and Aim of their Desire!
WILLIAMSBURG, May 13, 1773.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
True Happiness
Virtue
Innocence
Heavenly Bliss
Moral Instruction
Williamsburg 1773
Poem Details
Title
To A Lady Who Desired To Be Informed Where She Might Find True Happiness.
Subject
On True Happiness
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
What Is True Happiness?
True Happiness, Amanda, Well You Know,
And With Exalted Sentiments Aspire
To Heaven, The End And Aim Of Their Desire!