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Literary
July 22, 1788
The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A farmer laments the abduction of his innocent daughter Phillis by a rich man, grieving her disgrace and his own failing strength, as his son died fighting for the country; he dies from heartbreak on a stone, calling for heavenly justice.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
SENTIMENTAL FRAGMENT.
"HAVE lost my lamb," exclaimed the farmer, as he sat weeping on the stone.
"—And was it all that thou hadst;
Alas answered he my flocks whiten the distant hill but I shall no more lead them to the uplands in the winter, or drive them to the vale in summer.—They will see their master no more—another's voice must call them to their pastures, and other hands must make their fold at evening— for I have lost my lamb, and my strength fails me.
Gentle stranger, if I breathe my last in your presence—cover not my flesh to feed the raven—but let the turf cover me; and may Heaven, in its mercy, shield the heart of my poor devoted child from knowing that her misfortune and disgrace has broken the heart of her father.
—It is then, a daughter thou hast lost— it is a darling child thou seekest,—Alas!
Alas, indeed. said the farmer—the flower of the valley was not so fair—nor the honey-suckle so sweet—nor the dove more innocent than Phillis—nor, continued he, elevating his voice, the wolf more savage than the monster who bore her away from me.—But he is rich: these plains call him master, and I have nought but curses to help me.—My son died as he was fighting for his country—or the spoiler of innocence should have felt the vigor of his arm.—He should have revenged a sister's wrongs;—but I am weak, and can only call on Heaven to revenge me. To its eternal justice I resign my cause, and if these should be my last words;—and they were indeed, for his venerable form sunk down on the stone— and I called the villagers to bear his corpse to the cottage. * * * *
"HAVE lost my lamb," exclaimed the farmer, as he sat weeping on the stone.
"—And was it all that thou hadst;
Alas answered he my flocks whiten the distant hill but I shall no more lead them to the uplands in the winter, or drive them to the vale in summer.—They will see their master no more—another's voice must call them to their pastures, and other hands must make their fold at evening— for I have lost my lamb, and my strength fails me.
Gentle stranger, if I breathe my last in your presence—cover not my flesh to feed the raven—but let the turf cover me; and may Heaven, in its mercy, shield the heart of my poor devoted child from knowing that her misfortune and disgrace has broken the heart of her father.
—It is then, a daughter thou hast lost— it is a darling child thou seekest,—Alas!
Alas, indeed. said the farmer—the flower of the valley was not so fair—nor the honey-suckle so sweet—nor the dove more innocent than Phillis—nor, continued he, elevating his voice, the wolf more savage than the monster who bore her away from me.—But he is rich: these plains call him master, and I have nought but curses to help me.—My son died as he was fighting for his country—or the spoiler of innocence should have felt the vigor of his arm.—He should have revenged a sister's wrongs;—but I am weak, and can only call on Heaven to revenge me. To its eternal justice I resign my cause, and if these should be my last words;—and they were indeed, for his venerable form sunk down on the stone— and I called the villagers to bear his corpse to the cottage. * * * *
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
Dialogue
What themes does it cover?
Death Mortality
Moral Virtue
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Sentimental Fragment
Lost Daughter
Farmer Lament
Phillis
Abduction
Grief
Innocence
Revenge
Death
Literary Details
Title
Sentimental Fragment.
Key Lines
"Have Lost My Lamb," Exclaimed The Farmer, As He Sat Weeping On The Stone.
Gentle Stranger, If I Breathe My Last In Your Presence—Cover Not My Flesh To Feed The Raven—But Let The Turf Cover Me; And May Heaven, In Its Mercy, Shield The Heart Of My Poor Devoted Child From Knowing That Her Misfortune And Disgrace Has Broken The Heart Of Her Father.
The Flower Of The Valley Was Not So Fair—Nor The Honey Suckle So Sweet—Nor The Dove More Innocent Than Phillis—Nor, Continued He, Elevating His Voice, The Wolf More Savage Than The Monster Who Bore Her Away From Me.
My Son Died As He Was Fighting For His Country—Or The Spoiler Of Innocence Should Have Felt The Vigor Of His Arm.