Religion

On a Sermon Against Glory

by Mark Akenside 1721–1770

From Odes on Several Subjects

ReligionThe Mind

Come then, tell me, sage divine,
Is it an offence to own
That our bosoms e'er incline
Toward immortal Glory's throne?
For with me, nor pomp, nor pleasure,
Bourbon's might, Braganza's treasure,
So can Fancy's dream rejoice,
So conciliate Reason's choice,
As one approving word of her impartial voice.

If to spurn at noble praise
Be the passport to thy heaven,
Follow thou those gloomy ways;
No such law to me was given,
Nor, I trust, shall I deplore me,
Faring like my friends before me;
Nor an holier place desire
Than Timoleon's arms acquire,
And Tully's curule chair, and Milton's golden lyre.

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A short ode of 1747 answering a sermon that had spoken against the pursuit of glory.

MLA

Akenside, Mark. “On a Sermon Against Glory.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/akenside/10/.

Chicago

Akenside, Mark. “On a Sermon Against Glory.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/akenside/10/.

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