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Poem
June 18, 1813
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A reflective poem contemplating the grave as a final resting place, recoiling from death's terror, yet finding comfort in divine providence, faith, and hope for eternal life, inspired by passing a graveyard on May 11, 1813.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
ON PASSING A GRAVE YARD.
May 11th, 1813.
And is this narrow bound our lone retreat,
When Life's last fev'rish pulse has ceased to beat--
When, toss'd no more on Passion's turbid wave
We find a calm asylum in the Grave
The Grave! Why does my chill'd and shiv'ring frame
Recoil, and start, at this tremendous name?
Is it, that underneath its grassy sod
Once active friends now mingle with the clod
Ah, no! For Time, assuaging human woe,
Has check'd the tear which Friendship bade to flow.
The Grave! Oh! shrink not from the view, my soul;
Soon o'er my head shall Death's dark billows roll--
Soon this fair world, and ev'ry dear delight
Shall vanish from my dimm'd and aching sight
On me, to-morrow's sun may never glow,
No more may cheer me in this "vale of woe!"
Yet let me not repine: for bounteous Heaven
A full proportion of its joys hath given;
On me, has Providence with power benign
Bade the bright sun of Gracious Mercy shine;
For Nature's casualties, and Nature's pains,
Th' unerring hand of Sov'reign Power ordains;
And, doom'd the common lot of life to share,
His bounteous hand afflicts us but to spare.
Can, then, my heart, this faithful record keep,
And yet my conscience too supinely sleep?
Can I acknowledge all the good I owe,
And yet my love with no more ardor glow?
May that bless'd Faith, from which salvation springs,
That Hope which comes with "healing on its wings,"
Inspire my heart those precepts to obey,
Which point to realms of everlasting day!
May 11th, 1813.
And is this narrow bound our lone retreat,
When Life's last fev'rish pulse has ceased to beat--
When, toss'd no more on Passion's turbid wave
We find a calm asylum in the Grave
The Grave! Why does my chill'd and shiv'ring frame
Recoil, and start, at this tremendous name?
Is it, that underneath its grassy sod
Once active friends now mingle with the clod
Ah, no! For Time, assuaging human woe,
Has check'd the tear which Friendship bade to flow.
The Grave! Oh! shrink not from the view, my soul;
Soon o'er my head shall Death's dark billows roll--
Soon this fair world, and ev'ry dear delight
Shall vanish from my dimm'd and aching sight
On me, to-morrow's sun may never glow,
No more may cheer me in this "vale of woe!"
Yet let me not repine: for bounteous Heaven
A full proportion of its joys hath given;
On me, has Providence with power benign
Bade the bright sun of Gracious Mercy shine;
For Nature's casualties, and Nature's pains,
Th' unerring hand of Sov'reign Power ordains;
And, doom'd the common lot of life to share,
His bounteous hand afflicts us but to spare.
Can, then, my heart, this faithful record keep,
And yet my conscience too supinely sleep?
Can I acknowledge all the good I owe,
And yet my love with no more ardor glow?
May that bless'd Faith, from which salvation springs,
That Hope which comes with "healing on its wings,"
Inspire my heart those precepts to obey,
Which point to realms of everlasting day!
What sub-type of article is it?
Elegy
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Graveyard
Mortality
Death
Faith
Providence
Salvation
Heavenly Mercy
Poem Details
Title
On Passing A Grave Yard.
Subject
Passing A Graveyard
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
And Is This Narrow Bound Our Lone Retreat,
When Life's Last Fev'rish Pulse Has Ceased To Beat
The Grave! Why Does My Chill'd And Shiv'ring Frame
Recoil, And Start, At This Tremendous Name?
Yet Let Me Not Repine: For Bounteous Heaven
A Full Proportion Of Its Joys Hath Given;
May That Bless'd Faith, From Which Salvation Springs,
That Hope Which Comes With "Healing On Its Wings,"