Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CAMOENS IN THE HOSPITAL (AFTER), by HERMAN MELVILLE


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CAMOENS IN THE HOSPITAL (AFTER), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What now avails the pageant verse
Last Line: Serving high god with useful good.
Subject(s): Camoens, Luiz De (1524-1580)


What now avails the pageant verse,
Trophies and arms with music borne?
Base is the world; and some rehearse
How noblest meet ignoble scorn
Vain now the ardor, vain thy fire,
Delirium mere, unsound desire:
Fate's knife hath ripped the chorded lyre.
Exhausted by the exacting lay,
Thou dost but fall a surer prey
To wile and guile ill understood;
While they who work them, fair in face,
Still keep their strength in prudent place,
And claim they worthier run life's race,
Serving high God with useful good.





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