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Poem
January 8, 1856
Washington Sentinel
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A sentimental poem extolling the enduring bliss and security found in the love of wife, children, and friends, contrasted with worldly uncertainties, through vignettes of a merchant, a dying sailor, youth, and old age.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Wife, Children, and Friends.
If the stock of our bliss is in strangers hands vested,
The fund ill-secured, oft in bankruptcy ends,
But the heart issues bills which are never protested,
When drawn on the firm of—wife, children, and friends.
Though spice-breathing gales o'er his caravan hover,
And around him Arabia's whole fragrance descends,
The merchant still thinks of the woodbines that cover
The bower where he sat with—wife, children, and friends.
Though valor still glows in his life's dying embers,
The death-wounded tar, who his colors defends,
Drops a tear of regret as he dying remembers
How blest was his home with—wife, children, and friends.
The day-spring of youth, still unclouded by sorrow
Alone on itself for enjoyment depends;
But dear is the twilight of age, if it borrow
No warmth from the smiles of—wife, children, and friends.
If the stock of our bliss is in strangers hands vested,
The fund ill-secured, oft in bankruptcy ends,
But the heart issues bills which are never protested,
When drawn on the firm of—wife, children, and friends.
Though spice-breathing gales o'er his caravan hover,
And around him Arabia's whole fragrance descends,
The merchant still thinks of the woodbines that cover
The bower where he sat with—wife, children, and friends.
Though valor still glows in his life's dying embers,
The death-wounded tar, who his colors defends,
Drops a tear of regret as he dying remembers
How blest was his home with—wife, children, and friends.
The day-spring of youth, still unclouded by sorrow
Alone on itself for enjoyment depends;
But dear is the twilight of age, if it borrow
No warmth from the smiles of—wife, children, and friends.
What sub-type of article is it?
Song
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Wife Children Friends
Domestic Bliss
Family Security
Merchant Caravan
Dying Sailor
Youth Age Twilight
Poem Details
Title
Wife, Children, And Friends.
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains With Refrain
Key Lines
If The Stock Of Our Bliss Is In Strangers Hands Vested,
The Fund Ill Secured, Oft In Bankruptcy Ends,
But The Heart Issues Bills Which Are Never Protested,
When Drawn On The Firm Of—Wife, Children, And Friends.
Though Spice Breathing Gales O'er His Caravan Hover,
And Around Him Arabia's Whole Fragrance Descends,
The Merchant Still Thinks Of The Woodbines That Cover
The Bower Where He Sat With—Wife, Children, And Friends.
Though Valor Still Glows In His Life's Dying Embers,
The Death Wounded Tar, Who His Colors Defends,
Drops A Tear Of Regret As He Dying Remembers
How Blest Was His Home With—Wife, Children, And Friends.
The Day Spring Of Youth, Still Unclouded By Sorrow
Alone On Itself For Enjoyment Depends;
But Dear Is The Twilight Of Age, If It Borrow
No Warmth From The Smiles Of—Wife, Children, And Friends.