Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IDLENESS, by JOSEPH BEAUMONT First Line: O tedious idleness / how irksome is Last Line: As when down to the fishes depth he slides. Subject(s): Idleness; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence | ||||||||
OTEDIOUS Idleness How irksome is Thy foolish Nothing! When all day I strugled through the craggiedst Way Of knottiest Learning to gett up To the fair top Of some deer Knowledge, I did never fynd My Body half so tir'd, so damp'd my Mynd. 2 So tir'd, & damp'd as now: For monstrous Thou Thwart'st ev'n my Essence, & dost choke My sprightfull Flame in drowsy smoke. Surely a Soule which dwells among A quick & strong Consort of Organs, ne'r was seated there To lend to Sloths dull Pipe her active Ear. 3 Were I to Curse my Foe, I'd damne Him to No Hell but Thee; in whose blinde grott He, though in health, might lie & rott, And prove Deaths wretched Sacrifice Before he dies; Whilst He himself doth to Himself become Both ye dead Carcase, & the living Tombe. 4 May some Work ever keep Mine Eyes from Sleep Whilst they are wakeing! though it be But some poor Song to throw at Thee Mischeivous Sloth. Alas, I grutch That I so much Of this my little Time expend, whilst I All night seald up in lazie Slumbres lie. 5 The longest Summer Day Strait posts away. An honestly imployed Mynd Doth shriveld-up December fynd In wide-spred June; & thinks black Night Crowds out fair Light As soon when Sol through lofty Cancer rides, As when down to the Fishes depth he slides. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAINST WHATEVER IT IS THAT'S ENCROACHING by CHARLES SIMIC NIKOS AT 42 by REETIKA VAZIRANI ODE ON INDOLENCE by JOHN KEATS IDLENESS by SILAS WEIR MITCHELL VAIN EXCUSE by WALTER CONRAD ARENSBERG THE GENTLE CHECK by JOSEPH BEAUMONT Γενεθλιακον by JOSEPH BEAUMONT Γενεθλιακον by JOSEPH BEAUMONT A CONCLUSORIE HUMNE TO THE SAME WEEK; & FOR MY FRIEND by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |
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