Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO QUINBUS FLESTRIN, THE MAN MOUNTAIN, by ALEXANDER POPE


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TO QUINBUS FLESTRIN, THE MAN MOUNTAIN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In amaze / lost I gaze
Last Line: Lofty poet, touch the sky.
Variant Title(s): Ode To Quinbus Flestrin
Subject(s): Swift, Jonathan (1667-1745)


[OCCASIONED BY READING THE TRAVELS OF CAPTAIN LEMUEL GULLIVER]

An ode by Tilly-tit, poet-laureate to his Majesty of Lilliput

Translated into English

IN amaze,
Lost I gaze,
Can our eyes
Reach thy size?
May my lays
Swell with praise,
Worthy thee!
Worthy me!
Muse, inspire,
All thy fire!
Bards of old
Of him told,
When they said
Atlas' head
Propped the skies:
See! and believe your eyes!

See him stride
Valleys wide,
Over woods,
Over floods!
When he treads
Mountains' heads
Groan and shake:
Armies quake:
Lest his spurn
Overturn
Man and steed:
Troops, take heed!
Left and right,
Speed your flight!
Lest an host
Beneath his foot be lost.

Turned aside,
From his hide,
Safe from wound,
Darts rebound.
From his nose
Clouds he blows:
When he speaks,
Thunder breaks!
When he eats,
Famine threats!
When he drinks,
Neptune shrinks!
Nigh thy ear
In mid air,
On thy hand
Let me stand;
So shall I,
Lofty poet, touch the sky.





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