Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OF ENGLISH VERSE, by EDMUND WALLER


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OF ENGLISH VERSE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Poets may boast [as safely vain]
Last Line: But as long liv'd as present love.
Variant Title(s): English Verse
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Poets may boast (as safely vain)
Their work shall with the world remain
Both bound together, live, or dye,
The Verses and the Prophecy.
But who can hope his lines should long
Last in a daily changing Tongue?
While they are new, envy prevails,
And as that dies, our language fails;
When Architects have done their part
The Matter may betray their Art,
Time, if we use ill-chosen stone,
Soon brings a well-built Palace down.
Poets that lasting Marble seek
Must carve in Latine or in Greek,
We write in Sand, our Language grows,
And like the Tide our work o'erflows.
Chaucer his Sense can only boast,
The glory of his numbers lost,
Years have defac'd his matchless strain,
And yet he did not sing in vain;
The Beauties which adorn'd that age
The shining Subjects of his rage,
Hoping they should immortal prove
Rewarded with success his love.
This was the generous Poets scope
And all an English Pen can hope,
To make the fair approve his Flame
That can so far extend their Fame.
Verse thus design'd has no ill fate
If it arrive but at the Date
Of fading Beauty, if it prove
But as long liv'd as present love.








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