To Mr. S. B.
To Mr. S. B.
Original Text
Donne, John. The Satires, Epigrams and Verse Letters of John Donne. Edited by W. Milgate. London: Oxford University Press, 1967: 66-67.
1O thou which to search out the secret parts
2 Of the India, or rather Paradise
3 Of knowledge, hast with courage and advice
4Lately launch'd into the vast sea of arts,
5Disdain not in thy constant travelling
6 To do as other voyagers, and make
7 Some turns into less creeks, and wisely take
8Fresh water at the Heliconian spring;
9I sing not, siren-like, to tempt; for I
10 Am harsh; nor as those schismatics with you,
11 Which draw all wits of good hope to their crew;
12But seeing in you bright sparks of poetry,
13 I, though I brought no fuel, had desire
14 With these articulate blasts to blow the fire.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire, assisted by Ana Berdinskikh
RPO Edition
2009
Rhyme
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