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Poem
September 22, 1800
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
The poem explores human discontent, where past brings sorrow, present offers little joy, and future holds illusory bliss that, when attained, disappoints, perpetuating endless pursuit of happiness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Thus swiftly in and out succeed.
With true and certain measure's
What gives us sorrow when 'tis past,
In prospect is our pleasure.
The present scarce a thought employs,
Or with one good supplies us—
'Tis perfect happiness we seek,
This always she denies us.
With her we never are content;
But future pleasure viewing,
And though 'tis nothing when possess'd,
'Tis something we're pursuing.
The future ev'ry wish employs,
Keeps hope in constant action,
Of this depriv'd we soon should be
Unhappy to distraction.
We think the future stor'd with bliss,
And all that can delight us,
And view her stand with open arms,
To welcome and invite us.
In her we trust, on her we live,
Nor let the present bless us ;
But when the future does arrive,
Twill equally distress us.
With true and certain measure's
What gives us sorrow when 'tis past,
In prospect is our pleasure.
The present scarce a thought employs,
Or with one good supplies us—
'Tis perfect happiness we seek,
This always she denies us.
With her we never are content;
But future pleasure viewing,
And though 'tis nothing when possess'd,
'Tis something we're pursuing.
The future ev'ry wish employs,
Keeps hope in constant action,
Of this depriv'd we soon should be
Unhappy to distraction.
We think the future stor'd with bliss,
And all that can delight us,
And view her stand with open arms,
To welcome and invite us.
In her we trust, on her we live,
Nor let the present bless us ;
But when the future does arrive,
Twill equally distress us.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Happiness
Future
Present
Pleasure
Sorrow
Pursuit
Contentment
Anticipation
Poem Details
Subject
On Future Prospects And Present Discontent
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
What Gives Us Sorrow When 'Tis Past,
In Prospect Is Our Pleasure.
'Tis Perfect Happiness We Seek,
This Always She Denies Us.
We Think The Future Stor'd With Bliss,
And All That Can Delight Us,
And View Her Stand With Open Arms,
To Welcome And Invite Us.
But When The Future Does Arrive,
Twill Equally Distress Us.