The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet A Critical Edition by Amy M. Charles |
1. |
2. |
3. |
4. |
5. |
1. |
2. |
1. |
2. |
3. |
4. |
3. |
4. |
5. |
The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet | ||
[60] Moderation
Arts are th' Egyptian Handmaydes, to the QueeneOf sciences:
Moses the chiefe of Prophets, and of Men,
Did these possesse:
Our moderation must give these esteeme,
But if wee trye,
(Like Icarus) to flye a pitch extreme,
And over high,
Neclecting Her, who is their soveraigne just,
Then ten to one,
While to our waxen wings wee vainly trust,
Wee are undone.
Concerning creatures Arts enquiryes hold,
And labour much,
In secundary causes; but this gold,
Will not hold touch:
The circuite of the Primum Mobile
Must not confine
Our spirits, which accommodated bee,
For things divine:
374
But humbly rise:
For while some one on his owne strength presumes,
And too high flyes,
He dazled falls, and tumbles to the center,
With members crack't,
Because Hee was too rash, in his adventure:
A middle tract
Must bee observ'd, by every pious heart,
Who find the port,
While they their course shape by the holy Chart,
In pious sort.
The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet | ||