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Poem
May 28, 1802
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A fable imitating Gellert's German work, titled 'Benevolence.' It narrates Belinda's aspiration to emulate Howard's charity but, even after inheriting 2000 pounds annually, she gives only a moldy crust to a beggar, highlighting ironic limitations of benevolence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
SACRED TO THE MUSES.
BENEVOLENCE.
A FABLE.
Imitated from the German of Gellert.
O'er Howard's tomb soft Pity weeps,
Bewailing still her favorite's fate;
And thence the Muse invokes her aid
Of kindred merit to relate.
Like him to sympathize with woe,
Like him to heal the broken mind;
And rear affliction's drooping head,
Belinda's generous soul inclined.
But want of fortune oft, too oft,
Her charitable views withstood:
For what, alas! avails the will,
Without the power of doing good?
Her uncle dies and leaves his niece
A clear two thousand pounds per ann.
"Ah! now," she cries, "I'm blest indeed,
I'll help the poor where'er I can."
Scarce had she spoke, when, at her door
An old decrepid wretch appears;
Bent on his crutch he begs an alms,
And moves her pity with his tears.
Belinda felt for his distress.
She heav'd a sigh and shook her head:
Then to this aged son of woe
Stretch'd forth a crust of mouldy bread.
BENEVOLENCE.
A FABLE.
Imitated from the German of Gellert.
O'er Howard's tomb soft Pity weeps,
Bewailing still her favorite's fate;
And thence the Muse invokes her aid
Of kindred merit to relate.
Like him to sympathize with woe,
Like him to heal the broken mind;
And rear affliction's drooping head,
Belinda's generous soul inclined.
But want of fortune oft, too oft,
Her charitable views withstood:
For what, alas! avails the will,
Without the power of doing good?
Her uncle dies and leaves his niece
A clear two thousand pounds per ann.
"Ah! now," she cries, "I'm blest indeed,
I'll help the poor where'er I can."
Scarce had she spoke, when, at her door
An old decrepid wretch appears;
Bent on his crutch he begs an alms,
And moves her pity with his tears.
Belinda felt for his distress.
She heav'd a sigh and shook her head:
Then to this aged son of woe
Stretch'd forth a crust of mouldy bread.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Benevolence
Fable
Charity
Belinda
Howard
Gellert
Inheritance
Beggar
What entities or persons were involved?
Imitated From The German Of Gellert.
Poem Details
Title
Benevolence.
Author
Imitated From The German Of Gellert.
Subject
A Fable.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
O'er Howard's Tomb Soft Pity Weeps,
But Want Of Fortune Oft, Too Oft,
Stretch'd Forth A Crust Of Mouldy Bread.