Lives of the English Poets : Waller, Milton, Cowley by Samuel Johnson
page 180 of 225 (80%)
page 180 of 225 (80%)
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A coal-pit has not often found its poet; but, that it may not want its due honour, Cleveland has paralleled it with the sun: The moderate value of our guiltless ore Makes no man atheist, and no woman whore; Yet why should hallow'd vestal's sacred shrine Deserve more honour than a flaming mine? These pregnant wombs of heat would fitter be, Than a few embers, for a deity. Had he our pits, the Persian would admire No sun, but warm's devotion at our fire: He'd leave the trotting whipster, and prefer Our profound Vulcan 'bove that waggoner. For wants he heat, or light? or would have store Of both? 'tis here: and what can suns give more? Nay, what's the sun but, in a different name, A coal-pit rampant, or a mine on flame? Then let this truth reciprocally run, The sun's heaven's coalery, and coals our sun. Death, a voyage: No family E'er rigg'd a soul for Heaven's discovery, With whom more venturers might boldly dare |
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