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Poem
March 2, 1837
Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
A reflective poem defining true poverty, portraying a man devoted to God, sustained by honest toil and nature's bounty, as richer in spirit than the wealthy, emphasizing contentment over material riches.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
THE POOR MAN.
What man is poor? not he whose brow
Is bath'd in Heaven's own light,
Whose knee alone to God must bow,
At morning and at night---
Whose arm is nerv'd by healthful toil.
Who eats beneath the tree,
Or treads upon the fruitful soil,
With spirits calm and free.
Go---let the proud his gems behold,
And view their sparkling ray---
No silver vast, or yellow gold,
Can banish care away---
He cannot know the thrilling dream
Which smiles within the cot,
Where sunny brooks and rivers gleam,
To cheer the poor man's lot.
What man is poor? not he whose brow
Is wet with Heaven's own dew,
Who breathes to God the heart-felt vow,
Whose pledge is deep and true,
The morning calls his action fleet
To no enchanting dome,
But evening and the twilight sweet
Shall light his pathway home.
And there is music in his ear,
In the glad voice of his child,
His wife with hurried steps draws near,
And spirit undefil'd---
Then turn not from the humble heart,
Nor scorn its cheerful tone;
For deeper feelings there may start,
Than the proud have ever known.
THE POOR MAN.
What man is poor? not he whose brow
Is bath'd in Heaven's own light,
Whose knee alone to God must bow,
At morning and at night---
Whose arm is nerv'd by healthful toil.
Who eats beneath the tree,
Or treads upon the fruitful soil,
With spirits calm and free.
Go---let the proud his gems behold,
And view their sparkling ray---
No silver vast, or yellow gold,
Can banish care away---
He cannot know the thrilling dream
Which smiles within the cot,
Where sunny brooks and rivers gleam,
To cheer the poor man's lot.
What man is poor? not he whose brow
Is wet with Heaven's own dew,
Who breathes to God the heart-felt vow,
Whose pledge is deep and true,
The morning calls his action fleet
To no enchanting dome,
But evening and the twilight sweet
Shall light his pathway home.
And there is music in his ear,
In the glad voice of his child,
His wife with hurried steps draws near,
And spirit undefil'd---
Then turn not from the humble heart,
Nor scorn its cheerful tone;
For deeper feelings there may start,
Than the proud have ever known.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn
What themes does it cover?
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
Nature Seasons
What keywords are associated?
Poverty
Contentment
God
Simple Life
Wealth
Nature
Family
Poem Details
Title
The Poor Man.
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas With Refrain
Key Lines
What Man Is Poor? Not He Whose Brow
Is Bath'd In Heaven's Own Light,
Whose Knee Alone To God Must Bow,
At Morning And At Night
No Silver Vast, Or Yellow Gold,
Can Banish Care Away
For Deeper Feelings There May Start,
Than The Proud Have Ever Known.