WHAT mean the poets in invective verse To sing Medea's shame, and Scylla's pride, Calypso's charms by which so many died? Only for this their vices they rehearse,— That curious wits, which in the world converse, May shun the dangers and enticing shows Of such false Sirens, those home-breeding foes, That from their eyes their venom do disperse. So soon kills not the basilisk with sight, The viper's tooth is not so venomous, The adder's tongue not half so dangerous, As they that bear the shadow of delight, Who chain blind youths in trammels of their hair, Till waste brings woe, and sorrow hastes despair. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DEATH OF LEONIDAS by GEORGE CROLY EXPLANATION by VIRGINIA A. ALLIN THE FORD OF TRANSFIGURATION by WILLIAM ROSE BENET PSALM 84 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE MARIAN; AN OPERETTA: SONG (2) by FRANCES (MOORE) BROOKE OLNEY HYMNS: 36. WELCOME CROSS by WILLIAM COWPER WE'RE IRISH YET by WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND |