Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THOMAS STANLEY, ON MY LIBRARY, by WILLIAM HAMMOND Poet's Biography First Line: A hundred here together buried lie Last Line: Is kinder far when actuated by life. Subject(s): Librarians & Libraries; Stanley, Thomas (1625-1678); Library; Librarians | ||||||||
A HUNDRED here together buried lie, Still jangling with eternal enmity, Contesting after death; the Stagirite Advanceth there with his trust band, to fight Against ideas: th' Epicurean band In arms, which pleasure gilt, here ready stand To charge the rusty sword of the severe Stoic. Phlebotomizing Galen there Triumphs in blood, and not the bad alone Exterminates his corporation, But makes joint ostracisms for the good; Till later wits resenting Nature's food In greatest need promiscuously had been Disgarrison'd, invent new discipline, Strengthening the vitals with some cordial dose, Which Nature might with unbroke files oppose. But, upon fresh supplies, let her cashire, If not reducible, each mutineer. On yonder shelf we may the heritage Find of this heathen sword fall'n to our age: A doubtful blade, whose fore-edge guards the sense Of Stoics' fate; the sharp back is the fence Of Lernean Predestination, The bane of crowns and true devotion. The Will's ability Pelagius calls What Peripatetics style pure naturals. The point by which Philosophy did use To prove ideas, you'll confess obtuse, To that, by which Religion now maintains Uncouth chimeras of exorbitant brains. As the World's noble soul, the generous Sun, By an equivocal conjunction, Begets the basest creeping progeny; So when the princely sire, Philosophy, Adulterates faith, the monsters that arise Degenerate to bastard heresies. Thus have I made a short narration Here of a posthumous contention: They to thy judgement all submit their hate, Hoping thy presence soon will moderate Their vast dissent, as elemental strife Is kinder far when actuated by life. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FATHER OF PREDICAMENTS by HEATHER MCHUGH HER MONOLOGUE OF DARK CREPE WITH EDGES OF LIGHT by NORMAN DUBIE LOVE POEM FOR THE FORTY-SECOND STREET LIBRARY by DAVID IGNATOW THE LIBRARIAN by PETER JOHNSON BECAUSE OF LIBRARIES WE CAN SAY THESE THINGS by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE IN THE READING ROOM by DAVID FERRY A DIALOGUE UPON DEATH; PHILLIS AND DAMON by WILLIAM HAMMOND |
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