Social Commentaries
Of reading Scriptures
From The Most Elegant and Witty Epigrams (1618), Book 4
THe sacred Scriptures treasure great affoords,
To all of seuerall tongues, of sundry Realmes.
For low and simple spirits shallow Foords,
For high and learned Doctors deeper streames,
In euery part so exquisitely made,
An Elephant may swimme, a Lambe may wade.
Not that all should with barbarous audacity,
Read what they list, and how they list expound,
But each one suting to his weake capacity:
For many great Scriptureans may be found,
That cite Saint Paul at euery bench and boord,
And haue Gods word, but haue not God the word.
Codex Note
Book 4, Epigram 83
Cite this poem
MLA
Harington, John. “Of reading Scriptures.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/249/.
Chicago
Harington, John. “Of reading Scriptures.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/249/.
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