Anne Bradstreet - Flesh and the Spirit, The

Anne Bradstreet - Flesh and the Spirit, The

In secret place where once I stood br Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood, br I heard two sisters reason on br Things that are past and things to come. br One Flesh was call'd, who had her eye br On worldly wealth and vanity; br The other Spirit, who did rear br Her thoughts unto a higher sphere. br "Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on br Nothing but Meditation? br Doth Contemplation feed thee so br Regardlessly to let earth go? br Can Speculation satisfy br Notion without Reality? br Dost dream of things beyond the Moon br And dost thou hope to dwell there soon? br Hast treasures there laid up in store br That all in th' world thou count'st but poor? br Art fancy-sick or turn'd a Sot br To catch at shadows which are not? br Come, come. I'll show unto thy sense, br Industry hath its recompence. br What canst desire, but thou maist see br True substance in variety? br Dost honour like? Acquire the same, br As some to their immortal fame; br And trophies to thy name erect br Which wearing time shall ne'er deject. br For riches dost thou long full sore? br Behold enough of precious store. br Earth hath more silver, pearls, and gold br Than eyes can see or hands can hold. br Affects thou pleasure? Take thy fill. br Earth hath enough of what you will. br Then let not go what thou maist find br For things unknown only in mind.


User: PoemHunter.com

Views: 484

Uploaded: 2014-11-07

Duration: 01:55