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Literary
April 10, 1809
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Poem by Mrs. Robinson titled 'THE WINTRY DAY,' contrasting the indifference to winter's storms in wealthy luxury with the profound suffering felt by the poor, miserable, imprisoned, and neglected in bleak conditions.
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POETRY
THE WINTRY DAY.
By Mrs. Robinson.
Is it in mansions, rich and gay,
On downy beds or couches warm,
That Nature owns the wintry day,
And shrinks to hear the howling storm?
Ah! no!
'Tis on the bleak and barren heath
Where Misery feels the shaft of death,
As to the dark and freezing grave,
Her children—not a friend to save—
Unheeded go!
Is it in chambers, silken dressed.
At tables, with profusion's heap
Is it on pillows soft to rest
In dreams of long and balmy sleep?
Ah! no!
'Tis in the rushy hut obscure,
Where Poverty's low ones endure,
And scarcely daring to repine,
On a straw pallet mute recline,
O'erwhelmed with woe!
Is it to flaunt in warm attire,
To laugh and feast, and dance and sing,
To crowd around the blazing fire
And make the roof with revels ring?
Ah! no!
'Tis on the prison's flinty floor—
'Tis where the deafening whirlwinds roar
'Tis when the sea-boy on the mast.
Hears the waves bounding to the blast,
And looks below!
Is it in chariots gay to ride
To crown the splendid midnight ball,
To revel in luxurious pride
While pamper'd vassals wait your call?
Ah! no!
'Tis in a cheerless, naked room,
Where Misery's victim wait their doom!
Where a fond Mother famished dies,
While forth a frantic Father flies,
Man's desperate foe!
Is it where, prodigal and weak,
The silly spendthrift scatters gold,
Where eager folly hates to seek
The sordid wanton, false and bold?
Ah! no!
'Tis in the silent cot obscure,
Where forced all sorrows to endure,
Pale Genius learns, Oh shame and sad!
To court the vain, and on the bad
False praise bestow!
Is it where Gamblers thronging round,
Their shining heaps of wealth display
Where Fashion's giddy tribes are found
Sporting their endless hours away?
Ah! no!
'Tis where neglected Genius sighs.
Where Hope exhausted, silent dies,
Where Merit starves, by Pride oppressed,
Till ev'ry stream that warms the breast
Forbears to flow.
THE WINTRY DAY.
By Mrs. Robinson.
Is it in mansions, rich and gay,
On downy beds or couches warm,
That Nature owns the wintry day,
And shrinks to hear the howling storm?
Ah! no!
'Tis on the bleak and barren heath
Where Misery feels the shaft of death,
As to the dark and freezing grave,
Her children—not a friend to save—
Unheeded go!
Is it in chambers, silken dressed.
At tables, with profusion's heap
Is it on pillows soft to rest
In dreams of long and balmy sleep?
Ah! no!
'Tis in the rushy hut obscure,
Where Poverty's low ones endure,
And scarcely daring to repine,
On a straw pallet mute recline,
O'erwhelmed with woe!
Is it to flaunt in warm attire,
To laugh and feast, and dance and sing,
To crowd around the blazing fire
And make the roof with revels ring?
Ah! no!
'Tis on the prison's flinty floor—
'Tis where the deafening whirlwinds roar
'Tis when the sea-boy on the mast.
Hears the waves bounding to the blast,
And looks below!
Is it in chariots gay to ride
To crown the splendid midnight ball,
To revel in luxurious pride
While pamper'd vassals wait your call?
Ah! no!
'Tis in a cheerless, naked room,
Where Misery's victim wait their doom!
Where a fond Mother famished dies,
While forth a frantic Father flies,
Man's desperate foe!
Is it where, prodigal and weak,
The silly spendthrift scatters gold,
Where eager folly hates to seek
The sordid wanton, false and bold?
Ah! no!
'Tis in the silent cot obscure,
Where forced all sorrows to endure,
Pale Genius learns, Oh shame and sad!
To court the vain, and on the bad
False praise bestow!
Is it where Gamblers thronging round,
Their shining heaps of wealth display
Where Fashion's giddy tribes are found
Sporting their endless hours away?
Ah! no!
'Tis where neglected Genius sighs.
Where Hope exhausted, silent dies,
Where Merit starves, by Pride oppressed,
Till ev'ry stream that warms the breast
Forbears to flow.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
Seasonal Cycle
What keywords are associated?
Wintry Day
Poverty
Luxury
Misery
Nature
Social Contrast
Neglected Genius
What entities or persons were involved?
By Mrs. Robinson.
Literary Details
Title
The Wintry Day.
Author
By Mrs. Robinson.
Key Lines
Is It In Mansions, Rich And Gay,
On Downy Beds Or Couches Warm,
That Nature Owns The Wintry Day,
And Shrinks To Hear The Howling Storm?
Ah! No!
'Tis On The Bleak And Barren Heath
Where Misery Feels The Shaft Of Death,
As To The Dark And Freezing Grave,
Her Children—Not A Friend To Save—
Unheeded Go!
'Tis Where Neglected Genius Sighs.
Where Hope Exhausted, Silent Dies,
Where Merit Starves, By Pride Oppressed,
Till Ev'ry Stream That Warms The Breast
Forbears To Flow.