Magna Est Veritas (Patmore)

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Magna Est Veritas
by Coventry Patmore

The title of this poem, and its theme, derive from the proverb Magna est veritas et prævalebit ("The truth is great and it shall prevail", Esdras 4:41).

14727Magna Est VeritasCoventry Patmore

Here, in this little Bay,
Full of tumultuous life and great repose,
Where, twice a day,
The purposeless, glad ocean comes and goes,
Under high cliffs, and far from the huge town,
I sit me down.

For want of me the world's course will not fail:
When all its work is done, the lie shall rot;
The truth is great, and shall prevail,
When none cares whether it prevail or not.

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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