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Poem
October 21, 1839
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A poem translated from Pierre-Jean de Béranger by N.P. Willis, in which the speaker affectionately addresses his worn old coat, reflecting on their shared aging, past joys with friends and a girl named Lizzie, contentment in poverty, and the impending end of life.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From De Béranger, translated by N. P. Willis.
MY OLD COAT.
"Sois moi fidèle, ô pauvre habit que j'ai
Ensemble nous devenons vieux," &c.
How time is wearing thee and me;
My dear old coat, I grieve to see—
(Not Socrates himself could more
Each day, for years now, half a score,
With my own hands I've brushed thy nap,
Or rather texture I should say,
For nap has long been worn away.)
Should Fate have other rubs in store,
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Resist with patience, sage like me—
I put thee on all new and gay,
Well I remember the first day
(Alas, that time should fly so fast!)
And such was then the honor done thee.
My merry friends make songs upon thee!
And still those friends as ready are
To feast me now as then they were.
Though poor my garb, they welcome me!
By them regarded as a blot;
My honest poverty is not
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Thou bear'st a scar, a patch's flaw,
We good may out of evil draw:
I call to mind one joyous day
When I with Lizzie was at play:
But felt her hold me by the sleeve;
Said 'twas time the girl to leave,
I tried to fly, but (sad mishap!)
Then, while the mending-thread she plied,
She caught and tore my yielding lap.
I sat delighted by her side:
Over her work how great our glee!
Old friend, we must not parted be.
The rich perfume? or made thee wait
When wearing thee? or o'er thee poured
Have I the looking-glass adored
In antechambers of the great.
Exposed to each disdainful air
Of every jack-in-office there?
Not I! while courtiers have contended
For ribands, stars, and crosses splendid,
A wild-flower for thy button-hole,
My small ambition all and sole,
Has with that prize contented me!
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Fear not, my good old coat, that thou
Such as in wilder days of yore:
Envelopest an owner now,
Long since their maddening hours are o'er,
Hours which caprice so various made
With joy and sorrow, sun and shade!
These graver days too have their speed,
Nor long shall I a garment need;
My being's tide is ebbing fast,
A little longer strive to last;
The end of both one day must see
Old friend, we will not parted be!
N. Y. American.
MY OLD COAT.
"Sois moi fidèle, ô pauvre habit que j'ai
Ensemble nous devenons vieux," &c.
How time is wearing thee and me;
My dear old coat, I grieve to see—
(Not Socrates himself could more
Each day, for years now, half a score,
With my own hands I've brushed thy nap,
Or rather texture I should say,
For nap has long been worn away.)
Should Fate have other rubs in store,
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Resist with patience, sage like me—
I put thee on all new and gay,
Well I remember the first day
(Alas, that time should fly so fast!)
And such was then the honor done thee.
My merry friends make songs upon thee!
And still those friends as ready are
To feast me now as then they were.
Though poor my garb, they welcome me!
By them regarded as a blot;
My honest poverty is not
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Thou bear'st a scar, a patch's flaw,
We good may out of evil draw:
I call to mind one joyous day
When I with Lizzie was at play:
But felt her hold me by the sleeve;
Said 'twas time the girl to leave,
I tried to fly, but (sad mishap!)
Then, while the mending-thread she plied,
She caught and tore my yielding lap.
I sat delighted by her side:
Over her work how great our glee!
Old friend, we must not parted be.
The rich perfume? or made thee wait
When wearing thee? or o'er thee poured
Have I the looking-glass adored
In antechambers of the great.
Exposed to each disdainful air
Of every jack-in-office there?
Not I! while courtiers have contended
For ribands, stars, and crosses splendid,
A wild-flower for thy button-hole,
My small ambition all and sole,
Has with that prize contented me!
Old friend, we must not parted be.
Fear not, my good old coat, that thou
Such as in wilder days of yore:
Envelopest an owner now,
Long since their maddening hours are o'er,
Hours which caprice so various made
With joy and sorrow, sun and shade!
These graver days too have their speed,
Nor long shall I a garment need;
My being's tide is ebbing fast,
A little longer strive to last;
The end of both one day must see
Old friend, we will not parted be!
N. Y. American.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Song
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Friendship
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Old Coat
Poverty
Friendship
Reminiscence
Contentment
Aging
Translation
Beranger
What entities or persons were involved?
From De Béranger, Translated By N. P. Willis.
Poem Details
Title
My Old Coat.
Author
From De Béranger, Translated By N. P. Willis.
Subject
Address To An Old Coat Reflecting On Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas
Key Lines
How Time Is Wearing Thee And Me;
My Dear Old Coat, I Grieve To See—
Though Poor My Garb, They Welcome Me!
By Them Regarded As A Blot;
My Honest Poverty Is Not
Old Friend, We Must Not Parted Be.
A Wild Flower For Thy Button Hole,
My Small Ambition All And Sole,
Has With That Prize Contented Me!
Old Friend, We Must Not Parted Be.
My Being's Tide Is Ebbing Fast,
A Little Longer Strive To Last;
The End Of Both One Day Must See
Old Friend, We Will Not Parted Be!