Social Commentaries

Of reading Scriptures

by Sir John Harington 1560–1612

From The Most Elegant and Witty Epigrams (1618), Book 4

Social Commentaries

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.

✦ ✦ ✦

Book 4, Epigram 83

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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