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Poem
August 25, 1768
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
The poem laments the futility of endless toil for wealth or adventure, warning that old age brings no joy from past labors, and urges savoring life's simple blessings amid nature's seasons without anxiety.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Ah! what avails, with carking care,
To heap of wealth an ample store;
To toil by day, to wake by night,
With ever anxious wish for more!
Ah! what avails, with daring soul,
To brave the dangers of the seas;
To roam through every rigorous clime,
Careless alike of health and ease!
Late dost thou hope to reap the fruit
Of all thy cares, and all thy pains?
Old age with silent step creeps on,
No relish then of joy remains.
Oh! rather now, when summer suns
O'er nature's face diffuse a smile,
Amidst the grateful silvan shades,
The various ills of life beguile.
Rather, when winter's lawless blasts
The lovely rural scene deface,
Content, beside the well heap'd hearth,
Cheerful enjoy thy hours in peace.
Short is the space that life allows,
Nor waste that space in anxious care;
Few are the blessings life affords,
Nor fail those precious few to share.
To heap of wealth an ample store;
To toil by day, to wake by night,
With ever anxious wish for more!
Ah! what avails, with daring soul,
To brave the dangers of the seas;
To roam through every rigorous clime,
Careless alike of health and ease!
Late dost thou hope to reap the fruit
Of all thy cares, and all thy pains?
Old age with silent step creeps on,
No relish then of joy remains.
Oh! rather now, when summer suns
O'er nature's face diffuse a smile,
Amidst the grateful silvan shades,
The various ills of life beguile.
Rather, when winter's lawless blasts
The lovely rural scene deface,
Content, beside the well heap'd hearth,
Cheerful enjoy thy hours in peace.
Short is the space that life allows,
Nor waste that space in anxious care;
Few are the blessings life affords,
Nor fail those precious few to share.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Nature Seasons
Temperance Moderation
What keywords are associated?
Wealth Futility
Life Brevity
Enjoy Present
Rural Peace
Moral Reflection
Poem Details
Key Lines
Ah! What Avails, With Carking Care,
To Heap Of Wealth An Ample Store;
Short Is The Space That Life Allows,
Nor Waste That Space In Anxious Care;
Nor Fail Those Precious Few To Share.