The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor For the first time collected and edited after the author's own text: With introduction. By the Rev. Alexander B. Grosart [in Miscellanies of The Fuller Worthies' Library] |
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 | V. | V. Aurea Grana.
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 | The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor |  |
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V. Aurea Grana.
Verse Translations.
I. From “Deus Justificatus or a Vindication of the Glory of the Divine Attributes in the Question of Original Sin: in a Letter to a Person of Quality.” 1656 (12o) and 1657 (folio).
1. THE FALL.
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Him did the Serpent cheat, that to death's bands
He was subjected for his sin: for this was all:
He tasted good and evill by his Fall.
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2. GUILT AND DESTINY.
No guilt upon Mankinde can lieFor what's the fault of Destiny.
3. ORIGINAL SIN.
Nor did it please our God, when that our stateWas chang'd, to adde a crime unto our fate.
4. NO MASTERS: ONE MASTER.
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What nor himself nor others ever knew,
I leave his text, and let his schollers talke
Till they be hoarse or weary in their walke:
When wise men erre, though their fame ring like bells,
I scape a danger when I leave their spells.
5. THE SOFT ANSWER.
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To me too great a kindnesse Nature lends.
6. HINDRANCES.
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Must every bramble, every thistle weed;
And when each hindrance to the graine is gone,
A fruitfull crop shall rise of corn alone.
7. CONSCIENCE.
He that is guilty of a sinShal rue the crime that he lies in.
8. TRUE IF NEW.
Fear not to own what's said because 'tis new;Weigh well and wisely if the thing be true.
Truth and not conquest is the best reward;
'Gainst falsehood onely stand upon thy guard.
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II. From “A Discourse of the Nature, Offices, and Measures of Friendship” 1657 and 1673 (folio) and 1678 (12o.)
9. FRIENDSHIPS.
Where Vertue dwells there friendships make,But evil neighbourhoods forsake.
10. LOVE FOR LOVE.
They lov'd each other with a loveThat did in all things equal prove. [OMITTED]
The world was under Saturn's reign
When he that lov'd was lov'd again.
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11. MUTUAL FRIENDS.
Let God give friends to me for my reward,Who shall my love with equal love regard;
Happy are they, who when they give their heart
Find such as in exchange their own impart.
12. A FRIEND NOT MONEY.
When Fortune frowns upon a man,A friend does more than money can.
13. A NOBLE FRIENDSHIP.
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We choose our friends to whom we think we might
Our souls intrust; but fools are they that lend
Their bosome to the shadow of a friend.
14. UNSELFISHNESS IN FRIENDSHIP.
Lands, gold, and trifles many give or lend:But he that stoops in fame is a rare friend;
In friendship's orbe thou art the brightest starre,
Before thy fame mine thou preferrest far.
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15. BROTHERS.
It is not often you shall seeTwo brothers live in amity.
16. FRIENDSHIP IMMORTAL.
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Though men be mortal, friendships must not die;
Of all things else ther's great satiety.
17. HELP IN ADVERSITY.
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Honour and service to each other pay:
But when a dark cloud comes, grudge not to lend
Thy head, thy heart, thy fortune to thy friend.
The End.
| The poems and verse-translations of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor | |