Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TODAY, by RALPH WALDO EMERSON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TODAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I rake no coffined clay, nor publish wide
Last Line: The fault that boys & nations soonest mend.


I rake no coffined clay, nor publish wide
The resurrection of departed pride
Safe in their ancient crannies dark & deep
Let kings & conquerors saints & soldiers sleep.
Late in the world too late perchance for fame
Just late enough to reap abundant blame
I choose a novel theme, a bold abuse
Of critic charters, an unlaurelled muse.

Old mouldy men & books & names & lands
Disgust my reason & defile my hands
I had as lief respect an ancient shoe
As love Old things for age, & hate the new.
I spurn the Past, my mind disdains its nod
Nor kneels in homage to so mean a god.
I laugh at those who while they & gaze
The bald antiquity of China praise.
Youth is (whatever Cynic tubs pretend)
The fault that boys & nations soonest mend.





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