On Wisdom
POETS AND PRINCES
Unhonoured in a State when poets dwell Whose fames range wider than its strong-winged birds, Whose utterance is for grace adorable Of chosen speech and art of noble words, Whose wisdom hundreds come to hear and tell; The world that nation’s chief for dullness blames, For poets without wealth are rich and kings: When values low depreciate costly things,
- Tis the appraiser’s shame and not the gem’s.
TRUE WEALTH
Knowledge is truest wealth, not this which dies,— It cherishes a strange deep peace within
Unutterably, nor the robber’s eyes
- Ever shall find it out; to give it is gain, It then grows most when parted with, and poured With sleepless hand fills gloriously its lord. Worlds perish may, Knowledge survives their fall; This wise men cherish; O Kings, your pride recall, You have but wealth, they inner royalty
Of lordliest wisdom. Who with these shail vie?
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