1
So many had nothing; we have orchards
sometimes ill-neighboured, and are driven
to untimely harvest, simply to thwart thieves.
Our galleries may or may not be places of seasonable resort.
2
Of Buildings and Of Gardens are themselves
exercises in prudence. He that builds
a fair house on an ill site doth commit
himself to prison. The sentences also rise and fall.
3
There are good whisperers and good magistrates
by a noble collusion that is the style.
Even perjury and simony set forth
at a steady pace and arrive in time
for their host to receive them
4
with due courtesy and writs of attainder.
Of Prophecies is not beyond our scope
nor Of Riches our means. Is this Senecan?
Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates is a major piece
5
whereas Suspicion is shortly dealt with.
What would men have? puts a radical question
as does the contest between wit and judgment.
Poverty is… tedious, and means chiefly poverty of mind
6
that can accommodate what we would call
amplitude and quickness, which may be barren.
Religion, Matters of State, Great Persons
are to be spared jesting, as is any case that deserves pity
7
though whether the dispossessed figure at all
is a question unasked at my lord’s table.
There is much made of precious ointment
which is a potent magnanimity
that carries poison,
8
in my opinion, having read these things.
Dedications were tricky then; they’re not now.
That’s well worth an acknowledgement, a breather,
before the tide of dark keeping
sweeps us elsewhere
9
sputtering among the wreckage of late Demos.
So many had, and have, nothing; and Bacon
speaks of privateness and retiring. Consult
Of Judicature: the final book of Moses is his landmark
10
and a good landmark, even: the mislayer
of a mere stone’s to blame. So property
and equity are quits. My parents
never owned a house. It could be said
that was their folly.
11
The poor are bunglers: my people, whom I
nonetheless honor, who bought no landmark
other than their graves. I wish I could keep
Baconian counsel, wish I could keep resentment out of my voice.
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