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Poem
August 16, 1826
The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser
Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Philosophical stanzas questioning the purpose of human life, critiquing pursuits of folly, fame, wealth, and romantic love as vain, and affirming a Christian aim of preparing for a heavenly realm beyond earthly decay.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the New-York Times.
STANZAS.
"Pourquoi existons-nous?" Voltaire.
Why do we live? Is it to spend,
In folly's gay career,
Each passing hour, and lose for age,
The quickly fleeting year?
To live for joys the heart must own
Are empty all and vain;
To sow in youth the bitter seeds
Of agony and pain?
Why do we live? Is it to grasp
The honors of a name,
Through war and peril madly seek
The idle bauble Fame?
The victor's wreath, the laurell'd crown,
Are moist with human gore;
Why seek ye joys like these? Asks not
The soul of man for more?
Why do we live? Does Avarice yield
Her tempting stores to thee?
Oh! fly the gift and escape the hours
Of lengthen'd misery.
For sleepless nights and bitter cares
Attend the hoarded store;
Then seek ye not the glittering gem,
Dig not the mine for ore.
Why do we live? Is it to bask
In beauty's sunny smiles,
And, wrapt in love, to yield our hearts
To woman's artful wiles?
Yet shun the chain, though made of gold,
Its links are firm and sure;
The shaft for once within the heart,
In vain we seek a cure.
Why do we live? Far nobler aims
Inspire the human soul,
Than glory's crown, or love's delights,
Or pleasure's wanton bowl;
All nature yields her ample page,
And courts the curious eye;
And freely there we revel on,
Unconscious of satiety.
Why do we live? the Atheist asks,
To die and be forgot?
A nobler fate the Christian claims-
A holier, happier lot.
We live to fit us for the hour
When all things shall decay;
We live to gain a brighter realm
When earth shall fade away.
ALFRED.
STANZAS.
"Pourquoi existons-nous?" Voltaire.
Why do we live? Is it to spend,
In folly's gay career,
Each passing hour, and lose for age,
The quickly fleeting year?
To live for joys the heart must own
Are empty all and vain;
To sow in youth the bitter seeds
Of agony and pain?
Why do we live? Is it to grasp
The honors of a name,
Through war and peril madly seek
The idle bauble Fame?
The victor's wreath, the laurell'd crown,
Are moist with human gore;
Why seek ye joys like these? Asks not
The soul of man for more?
Why do we live? Does Avarice yield
Her tempting stores to thee?
Oh! fly the gift and escape the hours
Of lengthen'd misery.
For sleepless nights and bitter cares
Attend the hoarded store;
Then seek ye not the glittering gem,
Dig not the mine for ore.
Why do we live? Is it to bask
In beauty's sunny smiles,
And, wrapt in love, to yield our hearts
To woman's artful wiles?
Yet shun the chain, though made of gold,
Its links are firm and sure;
The shaft for once within the heart,
In vain we seek a cure.
Why do we live? Far nobler aims
Inspire the human soul,
Than glory's crown, or love's delights,
Or pleasure's wanton bowl;
All nature yields her ample page,
And courts the curious eye;
And freely there we revel on,
Unconscious of satiety.
Why do we live? the Atheist asks,
To die and be forgot?
A nobler fate the Christian claims-
A holier, happier lot.
We live to fit us for the hour
When all things shall decay;
We live to gain a brighter realm
When earth shall fade away.
ALFRED.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Why Live
Purpose Existence
Folly Fame
Avarice Love
Christian Eternity
What entities or persons were involved?
Alfred.
Poem Details
Title
Stanzas.
Author
Alfred.
Subject
Pourquoi Existons Nous? Voltaire.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Why Do We Live? Is It To Spend,
In Folly's Gay Career,
Each Passing Hour, And Lose For Age,
The Quickly Fleeting Year?
We Live To Fit Us For The Hour
When All Things Shall Decay;
We Live To Gain A Brighter Realm
When Earth Shall Fade Away.