{"id":2128,"date":"2019-05-02T02:42:07","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T02:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.150.46.75\/poemsandfancies\/?p=2128"},"modified":"2019-05-02T03:36:13","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T03:36:13","slug":"of-the-death-and-burial-of-truth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/?p=2128","title":{"rendered":"Of the Death and Burial of Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Truth in the Golden Age was healthy, strong,<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nBut in the Silver Age grew lean and wan;<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nI\u2019th\u2019Brazen Age sore sick abed did lie,
\nAnd in the last hard Iron Age did die.
\nReck\u2019ning and Measuring,<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> both being just,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5
\nShe as her two executors did<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> trust,
\nWhich did distribute all her goods<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> about
\nTo her dear friends, and<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span> legacies gave out:
\nFirst useful arts, the life of man<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to ease,
\nThen those of pleasure, which the mind do please;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nDistinguishments from this to that<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to show,
\nWhat\u2019s best to take or leave, which way to go;
\nExperiments to shun, or to apply,
\nEither for health or peace, or what to fly;
\nAnd sympathies, which do<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the world unite,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 15
\nWhich else antipathies<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> would ruin quite.
\nThis will and testament she left behind,
\nAnd as her deed of gift, left to<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span> mankind.
\nMourning she gave to all her friends to wear,
\nAnd did appoint that four her hearse should bear; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20
\nLove at the head did hold the winding-sheet;
\nOn each side, Care and Fear; Sorrow the feet.
\nThis sheet at every corner fast was tied,
\nMade of oblivion strong, and very wide.
\nNat\u2019ral affections, all<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in mourning clad,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 25
\nWent next the hearse, with grief distracted mad:
\nTheir hair, their face, their hands, tore, scratched, and wrung,<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd from their eyes fountains of tears outsprung,<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\n\u201cFor Truth,\u201d said they, \u201cdid always with us live.
\nBut now she\u2019s dead, there is no Truth to give.\u201d<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30
\nAfter came kings, which all good laws did make,
\nAnd power used for Truth and Virtue\u2019s sake.
\nNext Honor came<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in garments black and long,
\nWith blubbered face, and down her head she hung,<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nWho wished to die, for life was now a pain;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35
\nSince Truth was dead, honor no more could gain.
\nThen lovers came<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with faces pale as death,
\nWith shamefast eyes, quick pulse, and shortened breath,
\nAnd in each hand, a bleeding heart did bring,
\nWhich hearts within the grave<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span> of truth did fling.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40
\nAnd ever since, lovers inconstant prove;
\nThey more profession give than real love.
\nNext them came counsellors of all degrees,
\nFrom courts and countries, and from<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> chief cities;
\nTheir wise heads were a guard, and a strong wall, \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45
\nSo long as Truth did live amongst them all.
\nAll sorts of tradesmen, using not to swear
\nSo long as Truth, not Oaths, sold off their ware.
\nPhysicians came, not those that try<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> for skill
\nNew ways, and for experience<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> many kill,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 50
\nBut which use simples good, by<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Nature sent,
\nTo strengthen man, and sickness to prevent.
\nJudges and lawyers came, not wrangling,<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> base,
\nBut which for Truth<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span> did plead, decide each case;
\nWidows, which<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to their husbands kind had swore\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 55
\nThat, when they died, they\u2019d<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> never marry more;
\nAt last the clergy came, who<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span> taught Truth\u2019s way,
\nAnd how men in devotion ought to pray,
\nWho did men\u2019s lives by moral laws<\/span>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span> direct,
\nPersuade to peace, and governors respect.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 60
\nThey wept for grief, as prophets did foretell,
\nThat all the world with falsehood would rebel.
\n\u201cFaction will come,\u201d said<\/span>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> they, \u201cand bear great sway,
\nAnd bribes shall all the innocent<\/span>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span> betray.
\nWithin the church shall controversies rise,<\/span>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 65
\nAnd heresies shall bear away the prize.
\nInstead of peace, the priests shall discords preach,
\nAnd high rebellion in their doctrines teach.
\nThen shall men learn the laws for to explain,
\nWhich learning only serves for lawyers\u2019 gain.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 70
\nFor they do make and spread them like<\/span>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a net,
\nTo catch in clients, and their money get.
\nThe laws, which wise men made to keep the<\/span>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> peace,
\nServe only now for quarrels to increase.
\nAll those that sit in Honor\u2019s stately throne\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 75
\nAre counterfeits, not any perfect known.
\nThey put on vizards of an honest face,
\nBut all their acts unworthy are, and base.
\nFriendship in words and compliments will<\/span>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span> live,
\nBut in the heart not one night\u2019s lodging give.<\/span>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 80
\nLovers shall die for lust, yet love not one,
\nAnd virtue unregarded sit alone.
\nNow Truth is dead, no goodness here shall dwell,
\nBut with disorder make each place a hell.\u201d
\nWith that they all did shriek,<\/span>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> lament, and cry\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 85
\nTo Nature, for to end their misery.
\nAnd now this Iron Age\u2019s so rusty grown,
\nThat all the hearts are turned to hard flintstone.<\/p>\n

FINIS<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Truth in the Golden Age was healthy, strong, But in the Silver Age grew lean and wan; I\u2019th\u2019Brazen Age sore sick abed did lie, And in the last hard Iron Age did die. Reck\u2019ning and Measuring, both being just,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5 She as her two executors did trust, Which did distribute all … Continue reading Of the Death and Burial of Truth<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[231,218],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-register-of-mournful-verses","category-part5"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2128"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2132,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2128\/revisions\/2132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}