Dan Paine by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a nostalgic tribute to a childhood friend who has moved away. It expresses the speaker's longing for the carefree days of youth and the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. The poem explores themes of friendship, nostalgia, and the passing of time.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Friendship, Nostalgia · 408 words
First lines
Old friend of mine, whose chiming name / Has been the burthen of a rhyme / Within my heart since first I came / To know thee in thy mellow prime; / With warm emotions in my breast / That can but coldly be expressed, / And hopes and wishes wild and vain, / I reach my hand to thee, Dan Paine.
In fancy, as I sit alone / In gloomy fellowship with care, / I hear again thy cheery tone, / And wheel for thee an easy chair; / And from my hand the pencil falls -- / My book upon the carpet sprawls, / As eager soul and heart and brain, / Leap up to welcome thee, Dan Paine.
What this Textopian page supports
Dan Paine is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Friendship, Nostalgia, Sentimental, Reflective
- Length: 408 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dan Paine by James Whitcomb Riley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Friendship — The central theme revolves around the speaker's affectionate reminiscence and admiration for a friend.
- Nostalgia — The poem reflects on past experiences and emotions associated with the friend, evoking a sense of longing for the past.
- Sentimental — The tone is emotional and tender, focusing on the deep feelings and personal connection between the speaker and Dan Paine.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · Indiana Author · Regionalism · Folklore · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Rural Life · Working Class · Labor Movement