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Poem
April 10, 1876
Daily Kennebec Journal
Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine
What is this article about?
A satirical poem warning of the evils contained in a jug of whiskey, including disease, violence, and ruin, contrasted with the wholesome benefits of water ('Adam's Ale') for a virtuous life.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Daily Kennebec Journal.
THE JUG OF WHISKEY.
Within these earthen walls confined
The ruin lurks of human kind;
More mischiefs here united dwell,
And more diseases haunt this cell,
Than ever plagued the Egyptian flocks,
Than ever cursed Pandora's box.
Within these earthen walls repose
The seed of many a bloody nose:
The chattering tongue, the horrid oath,-
The fist for fighting, nothing loth.-
The nose with diamonds glowing red-
The bloated face, the broken head.
Forever fastened by this door:
Confined within, a thousand more
Destructive fiends, of hateful shape,
Even now are planning an escape.
Here only by a cork controlled.
And slender walls of earthen mould,
In all their pomp of death, reside
Revenge that ne'er was satisfied;
The tree that bears the deadly fruit
Of maiming, murder and dispute;
Assault. that innocence assails:
The images of gloomy jails,-
All these, within the jug appear,
And Jack, the hangman, in the rear.
Thrice, happy be, who, early taught
By nature, ne'er this poison sought!
He, with the purling stream content,
The beverage quaffs that nature meant;
In reason's scale his actions weighed,
His spirits want no foreign aid:
Long life is his in vigor passed,
Existence welcome to the last,-
A spring that never yet grew stale,--
Such virtues lie in Adam's Ale.
THE JUG OF WHISKEY.
Within these earthen walls confined
The ruin lurks of human kind;
More mischiefs here united dwell,
And more diseases haunt this cell,
Than ever plagued the Egyptian flocks,
Than ever cursed Pandora's box.
Within these earthen walls repose
The seed of many a bloody nose:
The chattering tongue, the horrid oath,-
The fist for fighting, nothing loth.-
The nose with diamonds glowing red-
The bloated face, the broken head.
Forever fastened by this door:
Confined within, a thousand more
Destructive fiends, of hateful shape,
Even now are planning an escape.
Here only by a cork controlled.
And slender walls of earthen mould,
In all their pomp of death, reside
Revenge that ne'er was satisfied;
The tree that bears the deadly fruit
Of maiming, murder and dispute;
Assault. that innocence assails:
The images of gloomy jails,-
All these, within the jug appear,
And Jack, the hangman, in the rear.
Thrice, happy be, who, early taught
By nature, ne'er this poison sought!
He, with the purling stream content,
The beverage quaffs that nature meant;
In reason's scale his actions weighed,
His spirits want no foreign aid:
Long life is his in vigor passed,
Existence welcome to the last,-
A spring that never yet grew stale,--
Such virtues lie in Adam's Ale.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Temperance Moderation
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Jug Of Whiskey
Evils Of Alcohol
Temperance
Adam's Ale
Moral Reform
Satire On Drink
Poem Details
Title
The Jug Of Whiskey.
Subject
Dangers Of Whiskey And Virtues Of Water
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas In Couplets
Key Lines
Within These Earthen Walls Confined
The Ruin Lurks Of Human Kind;
More Mischiefs Here United Dwell,
And More Diseases Haunt This Cell,
Thrice, Happy Be, Who, Early Taught
By Nature, Ne'er This Poison Sought!
Such Virtues Lie In Adam's Ale.