WARS and woes the world may fill, Nations rise and slaughter nations: But the Emendator still Publishes his Emendations! Still he clears the frauds away Which for long the public cozened: Shows what Bavius meant to say, Shows what Maevius might, but doesn't: Thus and thus -- if rules be rules -- Said or sang the ancient poet; Only criminals or fools See the truth yet fail to know it: (When the views of other men Fill his soul with grief and loathing, Not an editor but then Sticks at practically nothing!) Still in gall his pen is dipt, -- Save whene'er he advertises That immortal Manuscript Which confirms his own surmises: Only here is Truth secure, 'Spite the scribes and 'spite the ages: Inspiration clear and pure Wells from out its happy pages.... Say, O say, inquiring muse! Why do men of light and leading Take these very serious views All about a various reading? What shall make their feuds to cease? -- Death alone: which soon or later Wafts alike to realms of peace Common man and commentator: In that dim Ellisian glade, There where Horace not ungently Chaffs the very learned shade Of the reverend Dr. Bentley, While the bard of Chios' isle Sees with mere contemptuous pity Men who deemed his epic style Moulded by a mixed committee -- There Professors famed, who once Each the other's creed refuted, Jones, who branded Smith a dunce, Smith, who proved that Jones was Putid, When for settlement they bring Texts corrupt that used to trouble 'em, That the bard who wrote the thing Haply may resolve the problem, -- Then they'll hear it plainly put How the Laws they're both so pat in Clearly point to nothing but Ignorance of Greek and Latin: Thus at length will Smith and Jones Meet as brother meets with brother, On the basis sure that one's Just as ill-informed as t'other! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE VIKING GRAVE AT LADBY by KAREN SWENSON AN ELEGY UPON THE DEATH OF DOCTOR DONNE, DEAN OF PAUL'S by THOMAS CAREW INVERSNAID by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS THE DYING SWAN by THOMAS STURGE MOORE ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 3. TO A FRIEND UNSUCCESSFUL IN LOVE by MARK AKENSIDE ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 9. TO CURIO by MARK AKENSIDE |