Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MEMORY, A POEM, by LAETITIA (VAN LEWEN) PILKINGTON


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MEMORY, A POEM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In what recesses of the brain
Last Line: How just, and good, and excellent thou art.
Subject(s): Memory


IN what recesses of the brain
Does this amazing power remain,
By which all knowledge we attain?
What art thou, Memory? What tongue can tell,
What curious artist trace thy hidden cell,
Wherein ten thousand different objects dwell?

Surprising storehouse! in whose narrow womb
All things, the past, the present, and to come,
Find ample space, and large and mighty room.

O falsely deemed the foe of sacred wit!
Thou, who the nurse and guardian art of it,
Laying it up till season due and fit.

Then proud the wond'rous treasure to produce,
As understanding points it, to conduce
Either to entertainment, or to use.

Nor love nor holy friendship, without thee,
Could ever of the least duration be;
Nor gratitude, nor truth, nor piety.

Where thou art not, the cheerless human mind
Is one vast void, all darksome, sad and blind;
No trace of anything remains behind.

The sacred stores of learning all are thine;
'Tis only thou record'st the faithful line;
'Tis thou mak'st human-kind almost divine.

And when at length we quit this mortal scene,
Thou still shalt with our tender friends remain,
And time and death shall strike at thee in vain.

Lord, let me so this wond'rous gift employ,
It may a fountain be of endless joy,
Which time, or accident, may ne'er destroy.

Still let my faithful Memory impart,
And deep engrave it on my grateful heart,
How just, and good, and excellent Thou art.





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