From Boethius: De Consolatione Philosophiae; Book II. Metre 4.

Samuel Johnson 1709 (Lichfield) – 1784 (London)



Wouldst thou to some steadfast seat,
Out of Fortune's power retreat?
Wouldst thou, when fierce Eurus blows,
Calmly rest in safe repose?
Wouldst thou see the foaming main,
Tossing rave, but rave in vain?
Shun the mountain's airy brow,
Shun the sea-sapp'd sand below;
Soon th' aspiring fabric falls,
When loud Auster shakes her walls,
Soon the treach'rous sands retreat,
From beneath the cumbrous weight.
Fix not where the tempting height
Mingles danger with delight;
Safe upon the rocky ground,
Firm and low thy mansion found;
There, 'mid tempest's loudest roars,
Dashing waves and shatter'd shores,
Thou shalt sit and smile to see
All the world afraid but thee,
Lead a long and peaceful age,
And deride the utmost rage.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 14, 2023

38 sec read
115

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABBCCDEFFAGHHIIJJKKLL
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 706
Words 122
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 22

Samuel Johnson

The Reverend Doctor Samuel Johnson was a clergyman, educator, and philosopher in colonial British North America. more…

All Samuel Johnson poems | Samuel Johnson Books

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