Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A HINT TO CHRISTIAN POETS, by JOHN BYROM Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Where now the jove, the phoebus, and the nine Last Line: Will rise spontaneous in your purer breast. Subject(s): Bible; Christian Science; Christianity; Poetry & Poets | ||||||||
WHERE now the Jove, the Phœbus, and the Nine, Invok'd in aid of Greek and Roman line; The verse-inspiring oracle and stream, Delphos, and Helicon, and every theme Of charming fictions, which the poets sung To shew the beauties of a reigning tongue? The wars of gods, and goddesses, and men, Employ'd a Homer's and a Virgil's pen: An Epicurus taught, that, with this ball, The gods, at ease, had no concern at all: And a Lucretius follow'd, to rehearse His Greek impieties in Latin verse. Such were the Bibles of the Pagan age, Sung at the feast, and acted on the stage; Transform'd to pompous or to luscious ode, As Bacchus, Mars, or Venus was the mode; Dumb deities, at wit's profuse expence, Worshipp'd with sounds that echoed to no sense. The Christian bard has, from a real spring Of inspiration, other themes to sing; No vain philosophy, no fabled rhyme, But sacred story, simple and sublime, By holy prophets told; to whom belong The subjects worthy of the pow'rs of song. Shun then,ye born with talents that may grace The most important truths,their hapless case From ranting, high, theatrical bombast, To low sing-song of meretricious cast; Shun ev'ry step, by which a Pagan muse Could lead her clients to the stage or stews. Let no examples tempt you to profane The giftabhorrent of all hurtful strain: Contemn the vicious, tho' prevailing fame, That gains, by prostituting verse, a name: Take the forbearing hint; and all the rest Will rise spontaneous in your purer breast. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENVY OF OTHER PEOPLE'S POEMS by ROBERT HASS THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AS A SONG by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: TIME IS FILLED by LYN HEJINIAN OXOTA: A SHORT RUSSIAN NOVEL: CHAPTER 192 by LYN HEJINIAN LET ME TELL YOU WHAT A POEM BRINGS by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JUNE JOURNALS 6/25/88 by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA FOLLOW ROZEWICZ by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA HAVING INTENDED TO MERELY PICK ON AN OIL COMPANY, THE POEM GOES AWRY by HICOK. BOB A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (2) by JOHN BYROM |
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