Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THERE'S LIFE IN A MUSSEL; A MEDITATION, by GEORGE FAREWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THERE'S LIFE IN A MUSSEL; A MEDITATION, by                    
First Line: Come here, thou proud pretender unto arts
Last Line: T'imbibe the quintessence of flowing sweets.
Subject(s): Life; Meditation; Metamorphosis


COME here, thou proud pretender unto arts,
Most self-amazing sophy, look and learn;
Nor travel more from east to west for food.
Advert thine eye, in contemplation close,
On these thy little betters heaven-fed.
Up to yon luminary raise a thought,
Whose majesty so mild, in all her forms,
The mighty ocean follows faithfully:
View her with wonder leading up the waves
To give unto this mussel due repast.
In full felicity behold it fixed,
Contented waiting the appointed time;
Now sleeping in its cell, wherein anon
'Twill drinking lie at ease, like Romans couched.
Solomon clothed in all his glory (said
The truth itself) was less than lily fair.
O may I modest, and with reverence
To that great oracle, go on to say
His table, on a festival, could not
Exhibit entertainment suited more
To hunger and to health, nor so superb
As Neptune feasts this less than reptile with.
O Fate, thou grand disposer of events,
Director of man's metamorphosis,
Grant me at death a change to mussel-life!
Or, if not too presumptuous in the wish,
More nobly bless me in the oyster-bed!
You furious folk, for fame infatuate,
Who Alexander down your days abrupt
For one long night upon Bellona's pillow,
Because 'tis curtained round with specious ensigns;
I tell you, fighting fools, this mussel-bed
As much of honour has, and more delight.
Hail, happy shell! from heart-ache ever free!
The basis beautiful of Christendom,
The source of all the potentates on earth,
In its best attitude resembles thee.
Patient, like thee, that prime of nature lies
T'imbibe the quintessence of flowing sweets.





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