Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPISTLE TO MR. POPE: THE BLACK MILITIA OF THE PEN, by EDWARD YOUNG (1683-1765) Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: These labouring wits, like paviours, mend our ways Last Line: Compose the black militia of the pen. Subject(s): Criticism & Critics; Writing & Writers | ||||||||
These labouring wits, like paviours, mend our ways, With heavy, huge, repeated, flat, essays; Ram their coarse nonsense down, though ne'er so dull; And hem at every thump upon your skull; These staunch-bred writing hounds begin to cry, And honest folly echoes to the lye. O how I laugh, when I a blockhead see, Thanking a villain for his probity. Who stretches out a most respectful ear, With snares for woodcocks in his holy leer: I tickles through my soul to hear the cock's Sincere encomium on his friend the fox, Sole patron of his liberties and rights! While graceless @Reynard listens -- till he bites. As when the trumpet sounds, the o'er loaded state Discharges all her poor and profligate; Crimes of all kinds dishonour'd weapons wield, And prisons pour their filth into the field; Thus nature's refuse, and the dregs of men, Compose the black militia of the pen. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CELL, SELECTION by LYN HEJINIAN OXOTA: A SHORT RUSSIAN NOVEL: CHAPTER 126: THE DOUBTING MAN by LYN HEJINIAN WAKING THE MORNING DREAMLESS AFTER LONG SLEEP by JANE HIRSHFIELD COMPULSIVE QUALIFICATIONS by RICHARD HOWARD DEUTSCH DURCH FREUD by RANDALL JARRELL LET THEM ALONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON BUILDING WITH STONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS EPISTLE TO MR. POPE: AUTHORS AND CRITICS by EDWARD YOUNG (1683-1765) EXTEMPORE TO VOLTAIRE CRITICISING MILTON by EDWARD YOUNG (1683-1765) |
|