The Power of Solitude

by Joseph Story

POWER of SOLITUDE.

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Engrav'd by J. Akin Newburyport.

Drawn by ——— ——— Corne, Salem

 

And muse with truth in Wisdoms sacred cell.

Published by Macanulty. SALEM.

THE

POWER

OF

SOLITUDE.

A

POEM.

IN TWO PARTS.

BY JOSEPH STORY.

There let the classic page thy fancy lead,Thro rural scenes; such as the Mantuan swainPaints in the matchless harmony of song;Or catch thyself the landscape gliding swiftAthwart imagination's vivid eye;Or by the vocal woods and. waters lulledAnd lost in lonely musing, in the dreamConfused of careless SOLITUDE, where mixTen thousand wandering images of things,Sooth every gust of passion into peace:All but the swellings of the softened heart,That-waken, not disturb, the tranquil mind.THOMSON.

A NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION.

 

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SALEM:

PUBLISHED BY BARNARD P. MACANULTY.

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1804.

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S. ETHERIDGE & c, STEBBINS, PRINTERS.

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DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT:

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eighth day of October, in the eighteen hundred and fourth year of our Lord; and in the twenty ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Barnard B. Macanulty of the said district, hath deposited in this Office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "THE POWER OF SOLITUDE. A Poem. In Two Parts. By JOSEPH STORY."

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing' the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned;" and also to an Act intitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act, intitled, An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Etchmg historical, and other Prints.

N. GOODALE, Clerk of the District of Masachusetts.

A true Copy,

Attest, N, GOODALE, Clerk.

PROEM.

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THE design of the following poem is less to exhibit descriptions of rural life and local scenery, than to mark the influence of Solitude upon the passions and faculties of mankind. The nature of such a subject admits not that regularity of developement, and unity of delineation, which peculiarly constitute the beauty of composition. In the two leading divisions, the author has adopted the method of Zimmerman, as natural, correct, and comprehensive. He is duly sensible, that his work is an irregular fabric; and that digressions form a considerable part of it. These were adopted partly with a design to give variety to a didactic outline, and partly from a belief, that truth is never more forcibly impressed, than when it appears in the substantial forms of historic truth, or the sportive fablings of mythology. Wherever distinct imitation has been detected, appropriate credit has been given. Probably much has escaped notice, as similarity of thought and expression on a subject, which has incidentally claimed attention from most poetic writers, is unavoidable from incorrectness of memory, as well as congeniality of sentiment. No small share of sagacity is required in marking the minute shades of imitation, and determining, when the thought is the suggestion of our own mind, and when derived from extraneous sources. Some of the allusions in the poem, are borrowed from other compositions, but only when their features admitted refinement, or required new colorings to fix the outlines of analogy. In fine, it was the desire of the author to avoid equally the sterility of dry and monitory reflections, and the tedious dazzling of superfluous decoration. How far he has succeeded, the public must determine. He shall not be ashamed to fail, where many cannot expect excellence.

This volume professes to be a second edition of a poem, composed and published before the termination of the author's fifth lustrum. But as not much more, than one third part of the original, remains in this edition, and as that is greatly altered in dress and application by incorporation with the new matter, the whole may be justly considered a new work in plan, in ornament, and in disposition.

SALEM, OCTOBER 18, 1802.

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The miscellaneous poems now added, are, for the most part, the productions of distant years. Many of them are occasional tributes to deceased merit. The solicitations of friendship have effected their publication, and they are cheerfully resigned to the same fate, which awaits the principal poem. But justice requires me to state, that a few of them are not my own composition.

Contents (not listed in original)

• The Power of Solitude
  • Part First
  • Part Second
  • Notes on the First Part
  • Notes on the Second Part
• Fugitive poems
  • Monody
  • Monody, to the memory of Edward Edes, Esq.
  • Monody, on the death of Miss E. Richardson
  • Monody, on the death of Miss M. Hodges
  • Monody, on the death of Isaac Story, Esq.
  • Monody, to the memory of Col. Marston Watson
  • Ellen's adieu
  • On death
  • Expostulation and reply
  • To a friend, on her birth day
  • Adeline
  • The druid rites
  • Lover's whims
  • Lines
  • The disconsolate
  • Ode, written for the female charitable society at Salem
  • A character
  • Apostrophe
  • Sonnet to evening
  • William and Mary
  • Ode, written for the Boston female asylum