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Poem
September 28, 1793
National Gazette
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Poem addressed from Quintilian to young Lycidas, urging him to abandon excessive study and enjoy play with peers during childhood, warning that premature wisdom leads to later foolishness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
QUINTILIAN to LYCIDAS.
WHILE little lads their books forsake,
Or sigh to meet the hour of play,
You, Lycidas, no leisure take,
But still thro' learned pages stray—
With years so few, ah why so grave,
Why every hour to books a slave?
Hence, Lycidas, I pray, retire:
Go with your mates and take your play.
Not him I prize, or much admire
Who, curious, hangs on all I say;
The lad that's wise before his time
Will be a coxcomb in his prime.
Stay not too close in wisdom's shop—:
Till time a riper mind prepares
The ball, the marble, and the top
Are books that should divide your cares;--
The boys that life's gay morn enjoy,
I love to see them act the boy.
I hate the pert, I hate the bold,
Who proud of years, but half a score,
With none, but men, would converse hold
And things beyond their reach explore;
Like the fam'd Cretan, soaring high
To melt their waxen wings—and die!
Philad. Sept 25.
WHILE little lads their books forsake,
Or sigh to meet the hour of play,
You, Lycidas, no leisure take,
But still thro' learned pages stray—
With years so few, ah why so grave,
Why every hour to books a slave?
Hence, Lycidas, I pray, retire:
Go with your mates and take your play.
Not him I prize, or much admire
Who, curious, hangs on all I say;
The lad that's wise before his time
Will be a coxcomb in his prime.
Stay not too close in wisdom's shop—:
Till time a riper mind prepares
The ball, the marble, and the top
Are books that should divide your cares;--
The boys that life's gay morn enjoy,
I love to see them act the boy.
I hate the pert, I hate the bold,
Who proud of years, but half a score,
With none, but men, would converse hold
And things beyond their reach explore;
Like the fam'd Cretan, soaring high
To melt their waxen wings—and die!
Philad. Sept 25.
What sub-type of article is it?
Verse Letter
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Quintilian Lycidas
Childhood Play
Premature Wisdom
Moral Advice
Study Warning
Poem Details
Title
Quintilian To Lycidas.
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
The Lad That's Wise Before His Time
Will Be A Coxcomb In His Prime.
The Boys That Life's Gay Morn Enjoy,
I Love To See Them Act The Boy.
Like The Fam'd Cretan, Soaring High
To Melt Their Waxen Wings—And Die!