LX. Life compared to a Walk

Ellis Walker 1650 (England) – 1700 (England)



As the shoe's made to serve and fit the foot,
As the leg gives the measure to the boot;
So our possessions should be measur'd by
The body's use, and its necessity.
If here you stop, content with what you need,
With what will keep you warm, your body feed;
Within the bounds of temperance you live.
But if the reins you to your wishes give;
If nature's limits you but once transgress,
You tumble headlong down a precipice
Into a boundless gulph: this we may see
If we pursue our former simile:
For lets suppose your shoe made tight and fit,
Strong, warm, and easy, as 'tis requisite,
What more can be desired from a shoe?
'Tis all that hide, or thread, and wax can do.
But if you look for more, you're hurry'd on
Beyond your bounds, and then 'tis ten to one,
That it must be more modish, pink'd, and wrought,
Then set with pearls, from farthest Indies brought,
Then with embroidery and purple shine;
No matter if 'tis useless, so 'tis fine.
So there's no farther stay, no farther bound
By those, who exceed just measures, to be found.

Font size:
Collection  PDF     
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:00 min read
102

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEEFGHIDJKLMMNOPPQQRR
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,018
Words 195
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 24

Ellis Walker

Ellis Walker 1650- 1700 An English poet who published his poets by writing letters to his Uncle: To my Honoured Uncle Mr. Samuel Walker of York. When I fled to you for shelter, at the breaking out of the present troubles in Ireland, I took Epictetus for my companion; and found that both I, and my friend were welcome. You were then pleas'd to express an high esteem for the author, as he very well deserves it: you prais'd his notions as great, noble, and sublime, and much exceeding the pitch of other thinkers. You may remember, I then told you, that as they seem'd such to me, so I thought they would very well take a poetical dress: you said the attempt was bold, but withal wish'd it well done. I, hurry'd on with zeal for an author belov'd by you, and admi red by all, have made the essay a grateful diversion to me, though perhaps I may have pleas'd you better in admiring the author, than in translating him. However having attempted it, to whom should I dedicate my endeavours but to you, whose goodness gave me so kind a reception, whose bounty relieved me in an undone condition, and afforded me the leisure and opportunity to shew my desire of pleasing you, if such a trifle as this can any way pretend to please. Epistles of this kind are for the most part tokens of gratitude; I know no one in the world, to whom I am so much oblig'd as I am to you, and I make it my request, that you will accept of this, as an hearty and thankful acknowledgement, from Your most humble Servant, and affectionate nephew Ellis Walker. more…

All Ellis Walker poems | Ellis Walker Books

0 fans

Discuss the poem LX. Life compared to a Walk with the community...

0 Comments

    Translation

    Find a translation for this poem in other languages:

    Select another language:

    • - Select -
    • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
    • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Esperanto (Esperanto)
    • 日本語 (Japanese)
    • Português (Portuguese)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • Français (French)
    • Русский (Russian)
    • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
    • 한국어 (Korean)
    • עברית (Hebrew)
    • Gaeilge (Irish)
    • Українська (Ukrainian)
    • اردو (Urdu)
    • Magyar (Hungarian)
    • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
    • Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • தமிழ் (Tamil)
    • Türkçe (Turkish)
    • తెలుగు (Telugu)
    • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
    • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
    • Čeština (Czech)
    • Polski (Polish)
    • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
    • Românește (Romanian)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Ελληνικά (Greek)
    • Latinum (Latin)
    • Svenska (Swedish)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Suomi (Finnish)
    • فارسی (Persian)
    • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
    • հայերեն (Armenian)
    • Norsk (Norwegian)
    • English (English)

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "LX. Life compared to a Walk" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/42907/lx.-life-compared-to-a-walk>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    March 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    17
    hours
    10
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    "She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies."
    A Percy Bysshe Shelley
    B John Keats
    C Lord Byron
    D William Wordsworth