The World. A Pseudological Fancy
Well has the world been named the World,--
From its whirlpool heart of worrying things
On circling tides incessantly curl'd
And hurried around in fate-whorl'd rings;
Well has the world been named the World,--
From its whirlwind soul on hurricane wings
Flapping Disquiet, for ever unfurl'd
Over its outgushing lava-springs;
Well has the world been named the World,--
From its whirl of sorrowful change, that clings
Like some poisonous tendril twirl'd
Round a man's spirit, jarring its strings.
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
The Height Of Honesty
'Three friends once, in the course of conversation,
Touch'd upon honesty: 'No virtue better,'
Says Dick, quite lost in sweet self-admiration,
'I'm sure I'm honest;--ay--beyond the letter:
You know the field I rent; beneath the ground
My plough stuck in the middle of a furrow
And there a pot of golden coins I found!
My landlord has it, without fail, to-morrow.'
Thus modestly his good intents he told:
'But stay,' says Bob,' we soon shall see who's best,
A _stranger_ left with me uncounted gold!
But I'll not touch it; which is honestest?'
'Your honest acts I've heard,' says Jack, 'but I
Have done much better, would that all folks learn'd it,
Mine is the highest pitch of honesty--
I borrow'd an umbrella and--_return'd it!!
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
A Maxim Of Peace
Never have regrets, brother,
But for sake of sin;
The treacherous heart within
All too soon forgets, brother,
How it felt, and was, in thought,
Acting out the thing it ought.
All thy will was well, brother,
Well didst thou deserve;
Circumstance might swerve,
But, the truth to tell, brother,
Consequences none foresee
Never need be cares to thee.
Always for the best, brother,
Hourly hast thou striven;
Though to be forgiven,
This shall be thy test, brother,--
Did not honest zeal obey
Duty's impulse every day?
[...] Read more
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
Farewell To England (A Ballad For The Emigrant)
England, farewell! - not lightly, nor gladly,
Now, at the last, do I bid thee farewell!
Hope may be smiling, but Memory sadly
Weeps for awhile in the penitent's cell:
Yet, O my country! I dare not regret thee;
Providence calls me to come from thy shore;
And, though my spirit shall never forget thee,
England, farewell! - I return nevermore!
'Go to replenish the earth, and subdue it,-
Seek a new country,- seek a new home;'
Never shall doubtfulness make my heart rue it;
God will be with me, wherever I roam!
Duty, and zeal, and need, and ambition,
Drove and persuaded my faith to go forth,-
And, if I fail in my emigrant mission,
Lo! I will fail at the ends of the earth!
England, farewell! With Goodness to guide me,
Pilgrim and stranger, I sail for the South,-
[...] Read more
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!
To The Union
Giant aggregate of nations,
Glorious Whole of glorious Parts,
Unto endless generations
Live United, hands and hearts!
Be it storm or summer-weather,
Peaceful calm, or battle-jar,
Stand in beauteous strength together,
Sister States, as Now ye are!
Every petty class-dissension,
Heal it up, as quick as thought;
Every paltry place-pretension,
Crush it, as a thing of nought:
Let no narrow private treason
Your great onward progress bar,
But remain, in right and reason,
Sister States, as Now ye are!
Fling away absurd ambition!
People, lave that toy to kings:
[...] Read more
poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!