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Poem
May 26, 1790
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A philosophical poem advocating control over human passions through indifference, warning against the delusions of love, excessive friendship, and marital passion, and promoting calm acceptance of life and death.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
On the GOVERNMENT of our PASSIONS.
I.
SAY, Love, for what good end design'd
Wert thou to mortals given?
Was it to fix on earth the mind?
Or raise the heart to Heav'n?
II.
Deluded oft we still pursue
The fleeting bliss we sought,
As children chase the bird in view,
That's never to be caught.
III.
O! who shall teach me to sustain
A more than manly part,
To go thro' life, nor suffer pain
Nor joy to touch my heart?
IV.
Thou, blest indifference, be my guide,
I court thy gentle reign;
When Passion turns my steps aside,
Still call me back again.
V.
Teach me to see, thro' Beauty's art,
How oft its trappings hide
A base, a lewd, a treacherous heart,
With thousand ills beside.
Nor let my gen'rous soul give way,
Too much to serve my friends;
Let reason still control their sway.
And show where duty ends.
VII.
If to my lot a wife should fall.
May Friendship be our love:
The passion that is transport all
Does seldom lasting prove:
VIII.
If lasting, 'tis too great for peace,
The pleasure's so profuse;
The heart can never be at ease
Which has too much to lose.
IX.
Calm let me estimate this life,
Which I must leave behind,
Nor let fond passions raise a strife,
To discompose my mind.
X.
When Nature calls, may I steal by,
As rising from a seat;
I've had my fill of life, and why
Should I disturb the rest?
I.
SAY, Love, for what good end design'd
Wert thou to mortals given?
Was it to fix on earth the mind?
Or raise the heart to Heav'n?
II.
Deluded oft we still pursue
The fleeting bliss we sought,
As children chase the bird in view,
That's never to be caught.
III.
O! who shall teach me to sustain
A more than manly part,
To go thro' life, nor suffer pain
Nor joy to touch my heart?
IV.
Thou, blest indifference, be my guide,
I court thy gentle reign;
When Passion turns my steps aside,
Still call me back again.
V.
Teach me to see, thro' Beauty's art,
How oft its trappings hide
A base, a lewd, a treacherous heart,
With thousand ills beside.
Nor let my gen'rous soul give way,
Too much to serve my friends;
Let reason still control their sway.
And show where duty ends.
VII.
If to my lot a wife should fall.
May Friendship be our love:
The passion that is transport all
Does seldom lasting prove:
VIII.
If lasting, 'tis too great for peace,
The pleasure's so profuse;
The heart can never be at ease
Which has too much to lose.
IX.
Calm let me estimate this life,
Which I must leave behind,
Nor let fond passions raise a strife,
To discompose my mind.
X.
When Nature calls, may I steal by,
As rising from a seat;
I've had my fill of life, and why
Should I disturb the rest?
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Temperance Moderation
What keywords are associated?
Passions
Indifference
Love
Friendship
Marriage
Death
Moral Control
Poem Details
Title
On The Government Of Our Passions.
Subject
On The Government Of Our Passions
Form / Style
Quatrains With Abab Rhyme Scheme
Key Lines
Say, Love, For What Good End Design'd
Wert Thou To Mortals Given?
Was It To Fix On Earth The Mind?
Or Raise The Heart To Heav'n?
Thou, Blest Indifference, Be My Guide,
I Court Thy Gentle Reign;
When Passion Turns My Steps Aside,
Still Call Me Back Again.
When Nature Calls, May I Steal By,
As Rising From A Seat;
I've Had My Fill Of Life, And Why
Should I Disturb The Rest?