Arts & Sciences
A Degenerate Age
Translated by Emma Lazarus (Poems, 1889) · From The Poems of Emma Lazarus, vol. II (1889)
Where is the man who has been tried and found strong and sound?
Where is the friend of reason and of knowledge?
I see only sceptics and weaklings.
I see only prisoners in the durance of the senses,
And every fool and every spendthrift
Thinks himself as great a master as Aristotle.
Think'st thou that they have written poems?
Call'st thou that a Song?
I call it the cackling of ravens.
The zeal of the prophet must free poesy
From the embrace of wanton youths.
My song I have inscribed on the forehead of Time,
They know and hate it--for it is lofty.
Cite this poem
MLA
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “A Degenerate Age.” Translated by Emma Lazarus. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/9/.
Chicago
Gabirol, Solomon ibn. “A Degenerate Age.” Translated by Emma Lazarus. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ibn-gabirol/9/.
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