John Pierpont Poems on Soul (31 Poems)

The Portrait (John Pierpont Poems)

Why does the eye, with greater pleasure, restOn the proud oak, in vernal honors drest,When sultry gales, that to his arms repair,Are cooled and freshened, while they linger there;Than when his fading robes are seared, and castOn the cold mercy … Continue reading →

News-Carrier (John Pierpont Poems)

Years roll along; and, as they glide awayIn silent lapse, on every New-Year’s day‘T is claimed by custom that we carriers sing;And thus the tribute of the Muse we bring.Not that the strain with classic smoothness flows,Nor that the same … Continue reading →

Hymns and Odes for Temperance Occasions XIV: The Drunkard’s Funeral (John Pierpont Poems)

There was, some eighteen years or more ago,A young man, a parishioner of mine,Whose name was Willard. There are Willards many,As there are many Lords and many Smiths.This Willard was a butcher;—and my meatsI often bought of him, in Boylston … Continue reading →

A Sunday Night At Sea (John Pierpont Poems)

How sadly hath this Sabbath day,O God, been spent by me,Cribbed close beneath a narrow deck,Washed by the frequent sea,An adverse wind careering o’er meFrom those eastern clouds,And complaining as its shivering wingsSweep through my roaring shrouds! This humble deck, … Continue reading →

My Father, Mother, Brothers, Sisters (John Pierpont Poems)

They are all gone, but one.—A daughter and a sonWere, from my parents, early taken away;And my own childhood’s joyWas darkened when, a boy,I saw them, in their coffins as they lay. To manhood had I grown;And children of my … Continue reading →

The Liberty Bell (John Pierpont Poems)

The Liberty Bell—the Liberty Bell—The Tocsin of Freedom and Slavery’s knell,That a whole long year has idle hung,Again is wagging its clamorous tongue!As it merrily swings,Its notes it flingsOn the dreamy ears of planters and kings;And it gives them a … Continue reading →

Hymns and Odes II (John Pierpont Poems)

Hark! ’tis the children of Washington, pouringThe full tide of song to the conqueror’s praise,Whose brows our young eagle, triumphantly soaringFrom the dun smoke of battle, encircled with bays.And while the choral songFloats on the air along,Blending the tones of … Continue reading →

To Abolitionist (John Pierpont Poems)

Servants of God most high,Who on his word rely,By ancient seers and holy prophets spoken—That all the chains that gallThe Ethiopian thrall,And every yoke, shall from his neck be broken— Whether, with holy zeal,Ye in your closets kneel,Or plead the … Continue reading →

The Chain (John Pierpont Poems)

Is it his daily toil that wringsFrom the slave’s bosom that deep sigh?Is it his niggard fare that bringsThe tear into his down-cast eye? O no; by toil and humble fareEarth’s sons their health and vigor gain;It is because the … Continue reading →

Awake, Awake, Take The Pledge (John Pierpont Poems)

Awake! awake! and take the pledge,Without a fear or doubt!‘T will weave around your heart a hedge,To keep the demon out;‘T will wake a thrill of heavenly joyIn her who weeps at home;And laughing girl and prattling boyWill smile to … Continue reading →