Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPILOGUE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, 1674, by JOHN DRYDEN



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EPILOGUE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, 1674, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oft has our poet wisht [wished], this happy seat
Last Line: Judges so just, so knowing, and so kind.
Variant Title(s): Epilogue Spoken At Oxford By Mrs. Marshall
Subject(s): Muses; Oxford University; Poetry & Poets


Oft has our Poet wisht, this happy Seat
Might prove his fading Muses last retreat.
I wonder'd at his wish, but now I find
He sought for quiet, and content of mind;
Which noiseful Towns, and Courts can never know,
And only in the shades like Laurels grow.
Youth, e'er it sees the World, here studies rest,
And Age returning thence concludes it best.
What wonder if we court that happiness
Yearly to share, which hourly you possess,
Teaching ev'n you, (while the vext World we show,)
Your Peace to value more, and better know?
'Tis all we can return for favours past,
Whose holy Memory shall ever last,
For Patronage from him whose care presides
O'er every noble Art, and every Science guides:
Bathurst, a name the learn'd with reverence know,
And scarcely more to his own Virgil owe.
Whose Age enjoys but what his Youth deserv'd,
To rule those Muses whom before he serv'd:
His Learning, and untainted Manners too
We find (Athenians) are deriv'd to you;
Such ancient hospitality there rests,
In yours, as dwelt in the first Grecian Breasts,
Whose kindness was Religion to their Guests.
Such Modesty did to our Sex appear
As had there been no Laws we need not fear,
Since each of you was our Protector here.
Converse so chast, and so strict Virtue shown,
As might Apollo with the Muses own.
Till our return we must despair to find
Judges so just, so knowing, and so kind.





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