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INDOLENCE, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: O indolence! Curst worm


I.
O Indolence! curst worm
That cankerest in mid bloom fair virtues form,
That when with heaviest pain
We breathe released from Passions hateful reign,
Creep'st with thy noisome blight
Into the heart, and , killest its promise quite,
Were it not better even again to be
The world's unthinking slave, than pine in gloom with thee?


II.
Fame sounds her spirit rousing trump in vain!
To thy dull sluggish ear
Vain hope's sweet whisper or the shriek of fear,
Nor loud ambition's call
Can wake the palsied soul thou holdest in thrall,
Nor craving Avarice, nor Hate, nor love,
Nor aught on earth beneath, nor aught in Heav'n above.


III.
Yet triumphs too thou hast
Witness full many a dawning hope o'ercast
Witness from day to day
Full many a ruin'd friendship's slow decay,
Full many a joy effaced,
And lovely flower of genius run to waste,
And golden hour of happiness unprized,
And scheme of good forgot, and heavenly aid despised.


IV.
As gangrene taints the blood,
Nor rests till the whole frame be quite subdued,
So gradual is thy growth,
In noble souls thou unseen rust of sloth!
Writhing with unfelt shame,
We loathe thy yoke, yet loathing live the same.
O subtle paced, and velvet footed evil
Let one among thy slaves have leave to call thee-devil!






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