ARRAS! Arras! town full of strife, With calumnies and hatred rife; You were a noble town of yore; Your fame, 'tis said, they will restore. But unless God your manners mend, I see not who'll effect this end; Gambling is all that you pursue, So, fifty thousand times adieu. Elsewhere the gospel I shall find; I leave your lying tongues behind. Love, and glad life, I bid farewell, Where do such mirth and pleasure dwell, As save in Paradise unknown To me you have some profit done; In studying once you made me slack, But now 'tis you that bring me back, 'Tis you that make me now desire Honour to gain, renown acquire; For rude and empty was my mind, Diseourteous, base, and unrefined. My tender friend, much loved and dear, I feel and show but little cheer; Deeply on your account I grieve, Whom I am forced behind to leave. You will be treasurer of my heart, Although my body must depart Learning and science to attain, And be more worth, so you shall gain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARCHIMEDES LAST FORAY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET HAIL TEESSIDE! by CECIL DAY LEWIS THEN AND NOW by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE MAN TO BE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE WILLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: AMOS SIBLEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |