John Denham Poems

Thus to Glaucus spake
Divine Sarpedon, since he did not find
Others, as great in place, as great in mind:--
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Sure there are poets which did never dream
Upon Parnassus, nor did taste the stream
Of Helicon; we therefore may suppose
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Having at large declared Jove's embassy,
Cyllenius from Aeneas straight doth fly;
He, loth to disobey the god's command,
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Such is our pride, our folly, or our fate,
That few but such as cannot write, translate.
But what in them is want of art or voice,
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Though all the actions of your life are crown'd
With wisdom, nothing makes them more renown'd,
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Love! in what poison is thy dart
Dipp'd, when it makes a bleeding heart?
None know but they who feel the smart.
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What gives us that fantastic fit,
That all our judgment and our wit
To vulgar custom we submit?
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O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream
My great example, as it is my theme!
Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull;
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'Tis the first sanction Nature gave to man,
Each other to assist in what they can;
Just or unjust, this law for ever stands;
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You heard of that wonder, of the lightning and thunder,
Which made the lie so much the louder:
Now list to another, that miracle's brother,
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