Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DISCIPLINE OF WISDOM, by GEORGE MEREDITH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DISCIPLINE OF WISDOM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Rich labour is the struggle to be wise
Last Line: To shed the words which are ripe fruit of sun.
Subject(s): Wisdom


RICH labour is the struggle to be wise,
While we make sure the struggle cannot cease.
Else better were it in some bower of peace
Slothful to swing, contending with the flies.
You point at Wisdom fixed on lofty skies,
As mid barbarian hordes a sculptured Greece:
She falls. To live and shine, she grows her fleece,
Is shorn, and rubs with follies and with lies.
So following her, your hewing may attain
The right to speak unto the mute, and shun
That sly temptation of the illumined brain,
Deliveries oracular, self-spun.
Who sweats not with the flock will seek in vain
To shed the words which are ripe fruit of sun.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net