Читать книгу The Book-Lovers' Anthology - Various - Страница 58

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In vain that husbandman his seed doth sow,

If he his crop not in due season mow.

A general sets his army in array

In vain, unless he fight, and win the day.

'Tis virtuous action that must praise bring forth,

Without which slow advice is little worth.

Yet they who give good counsel, praise deserve,

Though in the active part they cannot serve:

In action, learnéd counsellors their age,

Profession, or disease, forbids to engage.

Nor to philosophers is praise denied, Whose wise instructions after-ages guide; Yet vainly most their age in study spend; No end of writing books, and to no end: Beating their brains for strange and hidden things, Whose knowledge nor delight nor profit brings: Themselves with doubt both day and night perplex, No gentle reader please, or teach, but vex. Books should to one of these four ends conduce For wisdom, piety, delight, or use. What need we gaze upon the spangled sky Or into matter's hidden causes pry?... If we were wise these things we should not mind But more delight in easy matters find.... Learn to live well that thou mayst die so too, To live and die is all we have to do.

Sir J. Denham. Translation of Mancini.