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Poem
November 5, 1812
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A dying American sailor captive on a British warship in the Indian Ocean bids farewell to his homeland, Mary, and freedom, reflecting on his father's death in battle and his mother's teachings on liberty as he faces death at sunset off Coromandel.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Poetry.
From the National Intelligencer.
DYING STRAIN,
OF AN AMERICAN CAPTIVE SAILOR,
On board of an English Man of War on service in
the Indian Ocean.
This Sun-setting from the Coast of Coromandel.
LAND of my birth, farewell! The sea rolls dark
The golden sun beyond yon waves descending
Now lights yon hills. Now is the soaring lark
Her sweetest notes with nature's matins ending:
And now my Mary's pray'r to Heav'n ascending
May bless these arms with home and liberty!
Ah no, my soul! This awful gloom impending
And death-like shades that glide along the sea,
Whisper "Poor lonely sailor, home is not for thee."
Early my youthful bosom sought the strife
That laid, alas! my gallant father low-
Early my mother taught her son that life,
Bereft of freedom, he must never know!
Yet from aloft, do British streamers flow!
Mary, a long farewell; My pangs are o'er:
My soul her anchor weighs And, when the glow
Of early morn illumes yon darksome shore,
This form shall soundly sleep, though Indian billows
roar.
From the National Intelligencer.
DYING STRAIN,
OF AN AMERICAN CAPTIVE SAILOR,
On board of an English Man of War on service in
the Indian Ocean.
This Sun-setting from the Coast of Coromandel.
LAND of my birth, farewell! The sea rolls dark
The golden sun beyond yon waves descending
Now lights yon hills. Now is the soaring lark
Her sweetest notes with nature's matins ending:
And now my Mary's pray'r to Heav'n ascending
May bless these arms with home and liberty!
Ah no, my soul! This awful gloom impending
And death-like shades that glide along the sea,
Whisper "Poor lonely sailor, home is not for thee."
Early my youthful bosom sought the strife
That laid, alas! my gallant father low-
Early my mother taught her son that life,
Bereft of freedom, he must never know!
Yet from aloft, do British streamers flow!
Mary, a long farewell; My pangs are o'er:
My soul her anchor weighs And, when the glow
Of early morn illumes yon darksome shore,
This form shall soundly sleep, though Indian billows
roar.
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Liberty Independence
War Military
What keywords are associated?
American Captive
Sailor Farewell
Indian Ocean
British Man Of War
Liberty Death
Poem Details
Title
Dying Strain, Of An American Captive Sailor,
Subject
On Board Of An English Man Of War On Service In The Indian Ocean. This Sun Setting From The Coast Of Coromandel.
Key Lines
Land Of My Birth, Farewell! The Sea Rolls Dark
And Death Like Shades That Glide Along The Sea,
Whisper "Poor Lonely Sailor, Home Is Not For Thee."
Early My Mother Taught Her Son That Life,
Bereft Of Freedom, He Must Never Know!