Tuesday, August 9, 2022

A DEGENERATE AGE by Emma Lazarus

 A DEGENERATE AGE 
by Emma Lazarus


Where is the man who has been tried and found strong and sound?

Where is the friend of reason and of knowledge?

I see only sceptics and weaklings.

I see only prisoners in the durance of the senses,

And every fool and every spendthrift

Thinks himself as great a master as Aristotle.

Think'st thou that they have written poems?

Call'st thou that a Song?

I call it the cackling of ravens.

The zeal of the prophet must free poesy

From the embrace of wanton youths.

My song I have inscribed on the forehead of Time,

They know and hate it--for it is lofty.

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