Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A PASSAGE IN THE MORALE ENCOMIUM OF ERASMUS IMITATED, by MATTHEW PRIOR


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A PASSAGE IN THE MORALE ENCOMIUM OF ERASMUS IMITATED, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In awful pomp, and melancholy state
Last Line: Wild schemes of mirth, and plans of loose delight.
Subject(s): Fables; Fear; Reason; Allegories; Intellect; Rationalism; Brain; Mind; Intellectuals


IN awful pomp, and melancholy state,
See settled Reason on the judgment seat;
Around her crowd Distrust, and Doubt, and Fear,
And thoughtful Foresight, and tormenting Care;
Far from the throne, the trembling Pleasures stand,
Chained up, or exiled by her stern command.
Wretched her subjects, gloomy sits the queen;
Till happy Chance reverts the cruel scene;
And apish Folly with her wild resort
Of wit and jest disturbs the solemn court.
See the fantastic minstrelsy advance,
To breathe the song, and animate the dance.
Blest the usurper! happy the surprise!
Her mimic postures catch our eager eyes;
Her jingling bells affect our captive ear;
And in the sights we see, and sounds we hear,
Against our judgment she our sense employs;
The laws of troubled Reason she destroys;
And in her place rejoices to indite
Wild schemes of mirth, and plans of loose delight.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net