DEFEND it not, defend it not, This wretched world below; Defend its gaping people not, Who care for nought but pomp and show The tedious ones, defend them not, Who cause us such ennui; The learned ones, defend them not, In their o'erpow'ring pedantry. The women, too, defend them not, Though good ones may be there; The best amongst them scorneth not The man she loves not, to ensnare. And then my friends -- defend them not: Count not thyself one now; For thou those friends resemblest not, -- No! firm, and good, and true art thou. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN OLD SWEETHEART [OF MINE] by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY PENTUCKET [AUGUST 29, 1708] by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER PATRIOTISM AND FREEDOM by JOANNA BAILLIE ROSAMUND GRIEF by GORDON BOTTOMLEY LIFE'S FINEST THINGS by BANGS BURGESS WEE WILLIE GRAY by ROBERT BURNS A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 41 by THOMAS CAMPION |