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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A COWARD THOUGHT ADMONISHETH: BEHOLD by VINCENZO MONTI

Last Line: "Watching how earthly glory fades, I smile ! "" "
Subject(s): COWARDICE;

A coward thought admonisheth : "Behold,
The fair fruits of thy learning, to forego
The light of day; thy wings of vision fold
Already and the shades of evening grow."
Then I reply: "Nay, if my bodily sight
Be lost, small harm since in my spirit's eye
There burneth a still clearer, brighter light
Embracing all the world of earth and sky.

Thus do I soar, from passionate foolishness
Of men secure; lord of futurity,
I rule the world to my desire ; meanwhile,
Resting beside oblivion's abyss,
And in the void that is eternity,
Watching how earthly glory fades, I smile!"



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