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Poem
May 1, 1906
The Morris County Chronicle
Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
A meditative poem on the fear of death stemming from guilt and sin, expressing reluctance to face divine judgment and pleading for God's assistance in controlling passions to align with virtue.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The Prospect of Death.
Why am I loath to leave this earth, scene?
Have I so found it full of pleasing charms?
Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between;
Some gleams of sunshine 'mid renewing storms.
Is it departing pangs my soul alarms?
Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode?
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms;
I tremble to approach an angry God,
And justly smart beneath his sin-avenging rod.
Fain would I say: "Forgive my foul offense.
Fain promise never more to disobey."
But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray:
Again exalt the brute and sink the man:
Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray,
Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan?
Who sin so oft have mourned, yet to temptation ran?
Thou great Governor of all below!-
If I may dare a lifted eye to thee,-
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow
Or still the tumult of the raging sea;
With that controlling power assist even me
Those headlong, furious passions to confine,
For all unfit I feel my powers to be
To rule their torrents in the allowed line:
O, aid me with Thy Help, Omnipotence divine!
Why am I loath to leave this earth, scene?
Have I so found it full of pleasing charms?
Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between;
Some gleams of sunshine 'mid renewing storms.
Is it departing pangs my soul alarms?
Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode?
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms;
I tremble to approach an angry God,
And justly smart beneath his sin-avenging rod.
Fain would I say: "Forgive my foul offense.
Fain promise never more to disobey."
But should my Author health again dispense,
Again I might desert fair virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray:
Again exalt the brute and sink the man:
Then how should I for heavenly mercy pray,
Who act so counter heavenly mercy's plan?
Who sin so oft have mourned, yet to temptation ran?
Thou great Governor of all below!-
If I may dare a lifted eye to thee,-
Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow
Or still the tumult of the raging sea;
With that controlling power assist even me
Those headlong, furious passions to confine,
For all unfit I feel my powers to be
To rule their torrents in the allowed line:
O, aid me with Thy Help, Omnipotence divine!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Death
Guilt
Sin
God
Mercy
Prayer
Virtue
Passions
Poem Details
Title
The Prospect Of Death.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Why Am I Loath To Leave This Earth, Scene?
Have I So Found It Full Of Pleasing Charms?
For Guilt, For Guilt, My Terrors Are In Arms;
I Tremble To Approach An Angry God,
Fain Would I Say: "Forgive My Foul Offense.
Fain Promise Never More To Disobey."
Thou Great Governor Of All Below!
If I May Dare A Lifted Eye To Thee,
O, Aid Me With Thy Help, Omnipotence Divine!