English Poetry I: From Chaucer to Gray.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
| |
| 196. Human Folly |
| | | William Drummond (1585–1649) |
| |
| |
| OF this fair volume which we World do name | |
| If we the sheets and leaves could turn with care, | |
| Of him who it corrects, and did it frame, | |
| We clear might read the art and wisdom rare: | |
| Find out his power which wildest powers doth tame, | 5 |
| His providence extending everywhere, | |
| His justice which proud rebels doth not spare, | |
| In every page, no period of the same. | |
| But silly we, like foolish children, rest | |
| Well pleased with colour’d vellum, leaves of gold. | 10 |
| Fair dangling ribbands, leaving what is best, | |
| On the great writer’s sense ne’er taking hold; | |
| Or if by chance we stay our minds on aught, | |
| It is some picture on the margin wrought. | |
| |
|
|
|
