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Poem
February 6, 1802
Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A philosophical poem by W. Thompson on the vanity of life, extolling virtue as an eternal rock that defies death, eases its terrors, and elevates the Christian soul to eternity beyond time and space.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
(By W. Thompson.)
If life be vain, on what shall man depend?
Depend on virtue. Virtue is a rock
Which stands forever; braves the frowning flood,
And rears its awful brow, direct, to heaven.
Though virtue fears not from the grave, she gives
Her votaries to the stars; she plucks the sting
From the grim king of terrors; smooths the bed
Of anguish, and bids death, tho' dreadful, smile.
Death smiles on virtue: And his visage, black
Yet comely seems. A Christian scorns the bounds
Where limited creation aims to rise,
"Here I have end." Rapt'rous, he looks beyond
Or time or space; he triumphs o'er decay;
And fills eternity; the next to God.
If life be vain, on what shall man depend?
Depend on virtue. Virtue is a rock
Which stands forever; braves the frowning flood,
And rears its awful brow, direct, to heaven.
Though virtue fears not from the grave, she gives
Her votaries to the stars; she plucks the sting
From the grim king of terrors; smooths the bed
Of anguish, and bids death, tho' dreadful, smile.
Death smiles on virtue: And his visage, black
Yet comely seems. A Christian scorns the bounds
Where limited creation aims to rise,
"Here I have end." Rapt'rous, he looks beyond
Or time or space; he triumphs o'er decay;
And fills eternity; the next to God.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Virtue
Death
Christian
Eternity
Decay
What entities or persons were involved?
By W. Thompson.
Poem Details
Author
By W. Thompson.
Form / Style
Blank Verse
Key Lines
Depend On Virtue. Virtue Is A Rock Which Stands Forever; Braves The Frowning Flood,
Death Smiles On Virtue: And His Visage, Black Yet Comely Seems.
And Fills Eternity; The Next To God.