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Poem
February 20, 1788
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A lyrical poem invoking Fortune to grant the speaker a true, virtuous friend who is pious, liberal, just, brave, honorable, intellectually sharp, and values inner beauty over superficial charm, deeming such companionship superior to a king's state.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Parnassian Spring
Would but indulgent Fortune send
The wish.
To me a kind and faithful Friend:
One who to Virtue's Laws is true,
And does her nicest Rules pursue;
One Pious, Liberal, Just, and Brave,
And to his passions not a Slave;
Who full of Honour, Void of Pride,
Will freely praise and freely chide;
But not indulge the smallest Fault,
Nor entertain a slighting Thought;
Who till the last will ever prove,
Will still instruct, and still will love;
In whom I safely may confide,
And with him all my Cares divide;
Who has a large capacious Mind,
Form'd with a Knowledge unconfin'd;
A Reason bright, a Judgment true,
A Wit both quick and solid too;
Who can of all Things talk with Ease,
And whose Converse will ever please:
Who charm'd with wit and inward graces,
Despises Fools with tempting Faces;
And still a beauteous Mind does prize,
Above the most enchanting Eyes:
I would not envy Kings their State,
Nor once desire a happier Fate.
Would but indulgent Fortune send
The wish.
To me a kind and faithful Friend:
One who to Virtue's Laws is true,
And does her nicest Rules pursue;
One Pious, Liberal, Just, and Brave,
And to his passions not a Slave;
Who full of Honour, Void of Pride,
Will freely praise and freely chide;
But not indulge the smallest Fault,
Nor entertain a slighting Thought;
Who till the last will ever prove,
Will still instruct, and still will love;
In whom I safely may confide,
And with him all my Cares divide;
Who has a large capacious Mind,
Form'd with a Knowledge unconfin'd;
A Reason bright, a Judgment true,
A Wit both quick and solid too;
Who can of all Things talk with Ease,
And whose Converse will ever please:
Who charm'd with wit and inward graces,
Despises Fools with tempting Faces;
And still a beauteous Mind does prize,
Above the most enchanting Eyes:
I would not envy Kings their State,
Nor once desire a happier Fate.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Faithful Friend
Virtue Laws
Honour Pride
Intellect Wit
Inner Beauty
Friendship Ideal
Poem Details
Title
Parnassian Spring
Subject
Desiring A Faithful And Virtuous Friend
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Would But Indulgent Fortune Send
The Wish.
To Me A Kind And Faithful Friend:
One Pious, Liberal, Just, And Brave,
And To His Passions Not A Slave;
Who Charm'd With Wit And Inward Graces,
Despises Fools With Tempting Faces;
I Would Not Envy Kings Their State,
Nor Once Desire A Happier Fate.