ejected promptly,
and swam in the approved manner
in the appropriate direction;
did all instinctive things well,
even eagerly—
an exemplary start.
But then the barrier: unexpectedness
unexpectedly.
(They did not tell us this).
To go back impossible, unnatural:
so round; many times;
we tired ourselves.
Where were the promised homes,
embedded in the soft wall?
Or the anticipated achievement
so momentous, fulfilling?
So we died:
what else was there to do?
But in all faith, we did our part!
Judging spectators; and desire, in place,To the author justice, to ourselves but grace.Our scene is London, ’cause we would make known,No country’s mirth is better than our own:No clime breeds better matter for your whore,Bawd, squire, impostor, many persons more,Whose manners, now call’d humours, feed the stage;And which have still been subject for the rageOr…
(bifurcated banners at a tourney)light alchemizes the brass on the bridgeinto sallow goldnow the short northernautumn day closes quicklythe thin coast(of grey Norway is it, or of Russia?)distinguished only as a formal changein the pattern of clouds on our port sideon the deck the strung lights illuminate nomovement but the sullen swill of waterin the…
While I confess thy writings to be suchAs neither man nor muse can praise too much;‘Tis true, and all men’s suffrage. But these waysWere not the paths I meant unto thy praise;For seeliest ignorance on these may light,Which, when it sounds at best, but echoes right;Or blind affection, which doth ne’er advanceThe truth, but gropes,…
Though I now write fifty years,I have had, and have, my peers.Poets, though divine, are men;Some have loved as old again.And it is not always face,Clothes, or fortune gives the grace,Or the feature, or the youth;But the language and the truth,With the ardor and the passion,Gives the lover weight and fashion.If you then would hear…
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,Now the sun is laid to sleep,Seated in thy silver chair,State in wonted manner keep:Hesperus entreats thy light,Goddess excellently bright.Earth, let not thy envious shadeDare itself to interpose;Cynthia’s shining orb was madeHeaven to clear, when day did close:Bless us then with wished sight,Goddess excellently bright.Lay thy bow of pearl apart,And…
Next, to that vertue, is to know vice well,And her black spight expell.Which to effect (since no brest is so sure,Or safe, but shee’ll procureSome way of entrance) we must plant a guardOf thoughts to watch, and wardAt th’eye and eare (the ports unto the minde)That no strange, or unkindeObject arrive there, but the heart…
