Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LEARNING AND RICHES, by JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ Poem Explanation Poet's Biography First Line: Why should the world be apt to censure me? Last Line: Of golden truth a glory unsurpassed. Alternate Author Name(s): Ramirez, Juana De Asbaje Y; Cruz, Juana Ines De La; Juana Ines De La Cruz Subject(s): Greed; Love; Vanity; Avarice; Cupidity | ||||||||
WHY should the world be apt to censure me? Wherein have I offended that I sought To grace my mind with jewels dearly bought, Nor turned my heart to jeweled vanity? From greed of riches I am fancy-free; But deem no work of fancy fairly wrought Till crowned with diamonds from the mine of thought, That worth my wealth, not wealth my worth, may be. I am not Beauty's votary. I know Her conquests fall a spoil to age at last: I find no joy in money's gaudy show; For gold like chaff into the furnace cast Fits but to feed Art's flame, and keep the glow Of golden Truth a glory unsurpassed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LA RONDE DU DIABLE by AMY LOWELL WITH MERCY FOR THE GREEDY by ANNE SEXTON MARIE MIGNOT by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM ENTERTAINMENT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT DEATH IN YOUTH by JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ |
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