Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FROM JUVENAL, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FROM JUVENAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I read to-day a poet dead
Last Line: Nor lost, oh sacred ministry of song!
Subject(s): Juvenal (decimus Junius Juvenalis)


I READ to-day a Poet dead
In old Rome, centuries ago;
Once more returned the days long fled,
The dried-up waters seemed to flow.

Once more the keen tongue known in youth
Lashed the gross vices of the time,
Portraying with a dreadful truth
The sloughs of sense, the deeps of crime.

Great city of the World! were these
All that the race has gained of thee --
Foul lusts and soulless luxuries,
Fraud, bloodshed, depths of villany?

Was this what we have left of Rome,
This blood - stained sink of dark offence?
Nay, still across the ages come
The high pure tones of innocence:

"Let nothing ever, base to see or hear,
Pass the chaste threshold where a young soul is;
The innocence of boyhood, oh, revere,
Lest what of vileness you conceive be his.

"Despise not thou his pure and tender youth,
But let his weakness stand 'twixt thee and wrong."
Not wholly wert thou dumb, dread voice of Truth!
Nor lost, oh sacred ministry of Song!





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