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Poem
October 22, 1736
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Poem by Stephen Duck extolling the benefits of a good conscience and virtue, which bring peace of mind and courage, in contrast to the guilt and fear afflicting the wicked. It uses imagery of eagles versus lesser birds to illustrate fearlessness in the virtuous.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the poem 'On a GOOD CONSCIENCE' by Stephen Duck across pages 3 and 4.
Clippings
1 of 2
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
The following Piece is taken from the Poems of the ingenious Mr. Stephen Duck, just publish'd, dedicated to the Queen, and honour'd with the Subscription of great Part of the Royal Family, and several Hundreds of the Nobility and Persons of Distinction.
On a GOOD CONSCIENCE.
THE solid Joys of Human Kind,
Are those that flow from Peace of Mind;
For who the Sweets of Life can taste,
With Vice, and tim'rous Guilt opprest ?
Tis Virtue softens all our Toils.
With Peace our Conscience crowns;
Gives Pleasure, when our Fortune smiles.
And Courage, when it frowns :
Calms ev'ry Trouble, makes the Soul serene,
Smooths the contracted Brow, and chears the Heart within.
While guilty Minds, involv'd with Woe,
Anticipate the future Blow ;
Which is ( to make Damnation more compleat)
The little Hell, in Passage to the great.
Bold and intrepid, honest Men appear ;
For, as they know no Evil, none they fear:
A glorious Shield of Virtue guards their Breast; .
Arm'd with themselves, they always walk at Rest.
Thus, under bursting Clouds, and stormy Skies,
When Thunder roars, and Lightning flies,
The imperial Eagles boldly rove,
Nor dread the fiery Bolt of Jove;
While meaner Birds, in secret creep below;
And trembling fear, and often feel, the Blow.
On a GOOD CONSCIENCE.
THE solid Joys of Human Kind,
Are those that flow from Peace of Mind;
For who the Sweets of Life can taste,
With Vice, and tim'rous Guilt opprest ?
Tis Virtue softens all our Toils.
With Peace our Conscience crowns;
Gives Pleasure, when our Fortune smiles.
And Courage, when it frowns :
Calms ev'ry Trouble, makes the Soul serene,
Smooths the contracted Brow, and chears the Heart within.
While guilty Minds, involv'd with Woe,
Anticipate the future Blow ;
Which is ( to make Damnation more compleat)
The little Hell, in Passage to the great.
Bold and intrepid, honest Men appear ;
For, as they know no Evil, none they fear:
A glorious Shield of Virtue guards their Breast; .
Arm'd with themselves, they always walk at Rest.
Thus, under bursting Clouds, and stormy Skies,
When Thunder roars, and Lightning flies,
The imperial Eagles boldly rove,
Nor dread the fiery Bolt of Jove;
While meaner Birds, in secret creep below;
And trembling fear, and often feel, the Blow.
What sub-type of article is it?
Didactic Poem
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Good Conscience
Virtue
Peace Of Mind
Guilt
Moral Instruction
Fearlessness
Damnation
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Stephen Duck
Poem Details
Title
On A Good Conscience.
Author
Mr. Stephen Duck
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
The Solid Joys Of Human Kind, / Are Those That Flow From Peace Of Mind;
Tis Virtue Softens All Our Toils. / With Peace Our Conscience Crowns;
While Guilty Minds, Involv'd With Woe, / Anticipate The Future Blow ;
Bold And Intrepid, Honest Men Appear ; / For, As They Know No Evil, None They Fear:
The Imperial Eagles Boldly Rove, / Nor Dread The Fiery Bolt Of Jove;