Tixall Poetry/The Recantation

by unknown author

The Recantation.

 

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My owne obscureness made me lately write
Against the court's supposed want of sight.
  Thus in their lamenes beggars find
  Comfort with thinking others blind.
    Exalted courtiers view
    Dayly things strange and new;
  They from the topmasts ships espye,
  When decks see only sea and sky.
By height our narrow sights enlarged are,
Low men perchance see well, but never far.

Rise then, cleare soul, lighten'd with knowledge rise,
Upon the wings of fame stuck full of eyes.
  Caril, surpas the eagle's flight,
  Like him survey Apollo's light;
    Crown'd with his laurel there,
    Above noe thunder feare:
  While we in valleys here are found,
  In every little torrent drown'd.
Lights of the highest heaven are fixed all,
The lower stars alone wander and fall.

My soule no loftyer thoughts dares entertain
Than what may raise my verse to a higher straine;
  And sing i' th' court of heaven what's done,
  What course your fellow stars do run.
    When stonnes and billows rave,
    Heaven shrinking at each wave,
  Small boats near shore securer be;
  Tall ships ride safer out at sea.
So while stern Boreas, and fierce Eurus blow,
Mount you above their blasts, I'le creep below.