ALL Wisdom's ways are smooth and fair, No treasures can with hers compare; More precious than the ruby bright, She leads to honour and delight. Seek her, and she is quickly found, With never-fading olives crowned. Riches may fly within an hour, Pale sickness wither beauty's flower, Death may our dearest friendships sever, And rend the social tie for ever; Ah! what but Wisdom then remains, To cheer the heart beneath its pains! To bid each murmuring thought arise, And soar with rapture to the skies. She calms the passions of the breast, With soothing hopes of future rest; And like a minister of heaven, She tells us "mortals are forgiven." Then Ophir's gold to her is nought, Nor polished silver finely wrought; Nor all the jewels of the mine, Compared with Wisdom's gem divine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEED OF LOVING by STRICKLAND GILLILAN TO THE ONE OF FICTIVE MUSIC by WALLACE STEVENS ON AN ANNIVERSARY by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE TASTE, AN EPISTLE TO A YOUNG CRITIC by JOHN ARMSTRONG WINTER FANTASY by ADELE BABBITT THE WAGES OF PRIDE by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE SONNET: MAN VERSUS ASCETIC. 3 by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON |