Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PINDARIC ODE: TO THE UNVERSITY LIBRARY AT OXFORD, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PINDARIC ODE: TO THE UNVERSITY LIBRARY AT OXFORD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hail learning's pantheon! Hail, the sacred ark
Last Line: As the best blood of man's employ'd in generation.
Subject(s): Librarians & Libraries; Oxford University; Library; Librarians


1.

HAil Learning's Pantheon! Hail, the sacred Ark,
Where all the World of Science does embark!
Wch ever shall wthstand, and hast soe long withstood,
Insatiat Time's devowring Flood!
Hail, Tree of Knowledge! thy Leaves Fruit! wch well
Dost in ye midst of and Lights into one brightnes spread;
Hail, Living Vniversity of the Dead!

2.

Vnconfus'd Babel of all Toungs wch ere
The mighty Linguist Fame, or Time, the mighty Traveller,
That could speak, or this could Hear!
Majestique Monument, and Pyramide,
Where still the shapes of parted Soules abide
Embalmed in Verse!f all Toungs wch ere
The mighty Linguist Fame, or Time, the mighty Traveller,
That could speak, or this could Hear!
Majestique Monument, and Pyramide,
Where still the shapes of parted Soules abide
Embalmed in Verse! exalted soules, wch now
Enioy those Arts they woo'd soe well below!
Wch now all wonders printed plainly see,
That have bin, are, or are to bee,
In the mysterious Librarie,
The Beatifique Bodley of the Deitie.

3.

Will yee into your sacred throng admit
The meanest Brittish Wit?
Yee Generall Councell of the Preists of Fame,
Will yee not murmur, and disdain,
That I a place amoungst yee claime,
The humblest Deacon of her train?
Will yee allow mee th' honourable chain?
The chain of Ornament, wch here
Your noble Prisoners proudly wear?
A Chain wch will more pleasant seem to mee
Then all my own Pindarick Libertie.
Will yee to bind mee with theise mighty names submit,
Like an Apocrypha wth Holy Writ?
What ever happy Book is chained here,
Noe other place or people needs to fear;
His Chaines a Pasport to goe every where.

4.

As when a seat in Heaven,
Is to an unmalitious Sinner given,
Who casting round his wondring Eye,
Does none but Patriarchs and Apostles there espie;
Martyrs who did their Lives bestow,
And Saints who Martyrs' lived below;
Wth trembling and amazement hee begins,
To recollect his frailties past and sins,
Hee doubts almost his Station there,
His Soul says to it selfe, How came I here?
It fares noe otherwise wth mee,
When I my selfe wth conscious wonder see,
Amidst this Purified Elected Companie,
Wth hardship they, and pain,
Did to this happines attain:
Noe labours I, or merits can pretend;
I think, Predestination onely was my friend.

5.

Ah, yt my Author had been tyed like Mee,
To such a Place, and such a Companie!
Instead of severall Countries, severall Men,
And Busines wch ye Muses hate!
He might have then improved yt small Estate,
Wch Nature sparingly did to him give;
Hee might perhaps have thriven then,
And setled vpon mee, his Child, somewhat to Live.
T' had happier bin for Him, as well as Mee;
For when all, alas, is donne,
Wee Books, I mean, Yow Books, will prove to bee
The best and noblest Conversation.
For though some Errors will get in,
Like Tinctures of Original Sin:
Yet sure wee from our Father's Wit
Draw all ye Strength and Spirite of it:
Leaving ye grosser parts for Conversation,
As the best Blood of Man's employ'd in Generation.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net