Of Humility. From Proverbial Philosophy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDAEAFGHAAICJKLHHM NOPQRCSTDUVWXVYWUWAZ W WPWWA2TDB2VAHWC2AHHD 2AWA AXAXWWAWWAVWAQWWA2E2 WE2 H

Vice is grown aweary of her gawds and donneth russet garmentsA
Loving for change to walk as a nun beneath a modest veilB
For Pride hath noted how all admire the fairness of HumilityC
And to clutch the praise he coveteth is content to be drest in hair clothD
And wily Lust tempteth the young heart that is proof against the bravery of harlotsA
With timid tears and retiring looks of an artful seeming maidE
And indolent Apathy sleepily ashamed of his dull lack lustre faceA
Is glad of the livery of meekness that charitable cloak and cowlF
And Hatred hideth his demon frown beneath a gentle maskG
And Slander snake like creepeth in the dust thinking to escape recriminationH
But the world hath gained somewhat from its years and is quick to penetrate disguisesA
Neither in all these is it easily deceived but rightly divideth the true from the falseA
Yet there is a meanness of spirit that is fair in the eyes of most menI
Yea and seemeth fair unto itself loving to be thought HumilityC
Its choler is not roused by insolence neither do injuries distiub itJ
Honest indignation is strange unto its breast and just reproof unto its lipK
It shrinketh looking fearfully on men fawning at the feet of the greatL
The breath of calumny is sweet unto its ear and it courteth the rod of persecutionH
But what art thou not a man deputed chief of the creationH
Art thou not a soldier of the right militant for God and goodM
Shall virtue and truth be degraded because thou art too base to uphold themN
Or Goliath be bolder in blaspheming for want of a David in the campO
I say not avenge injuries for the ministry of vengeance is not thineP
But wherefore rebuke not a liar wherefore do dishonour to thyselfQ
Wherefore let the evil triumph when the just and the right are on thy sideR
Such Humility is abject it lacketh the life of sensibilityC
And that resignation is but mock where the burden is not feltS
Suspect thyself and thy meekness thou art mean and indifferent to sinT
And the heart that should grieve and forgive is case hardened and forgettethD
Humility mainly becometh the converse of man with his MakerU
But oftentimes it seemeth out of place in the intorcourse of man with manV
Yea it is the cringer to his equal that is chiefly seen bold to his GodW
While the martyr whom a world cannot brow beat is humble as a child before HimX
Render unto all men their due but remember thou also art a manV
And cheat not thyself of the reverence which is owing to thy reasonable beingY
Be courteous and listen and learn but teach and answer if thou canstW
Serve thee of thy neighbours wisdom but be not enslaved as to a masterU
Where thou perceivest knowledge bend the ear of attention and respectW
But yield not further to the teaching than as thy mind is warranted by reasonsA
Better is an obstinate disputant that yieldeth inch by inchZ
Than the shallow traitor to himself who surrendereth to half an argumentW
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Modesty winneth good report but scorn cometh close upon servilityW
Therefore use meekness with discretion casting not pearls before swineP
For a fool will tread upon thy neck if he seeth thee lying in the dustW
And there be companies and seasons where resolute bearing is but dutyW
If a good man discloseth his secret failings unto the view of the profaneA2
What doeth he but harm unto his brother confirming him in his sinT
There is a concealment that is right and an open mouthed humility that errethD
There is a candour near akin to folly and a meekness looking like shameB2
Masculine sentiments vigorously holden well become a manV
But a weak mind hath a timorous grasp and mistaketh it for tenderness of conscienceA
Many are despised for then folly who put it to the account of their religionH
And because men treat them with contempt they look to their God for gloryW
But contempt shall still be then reward who betrayed their Master unto ridiculeC2
Reflecting on Him in themselves meanness and ignorance and cowardiceA
A Christian hath a royal spirit and need not be ashamed but unto OneH
Among just men walketh he softly but the world should see him as a championH
His humbleness is far unlike the shame that covereth the profligate and weakD2
When the sober reproof of virtue hath touched their tingling earsA
It is born of love and wisdom and is worthy of all honourW
And the sweet persuasion of its smile changeth contempt into reverenceA
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A man of a haughty spirit is daily adding to his enemiesA
He standeth as the Arab in the desert and the hands of all men are against himX
A man of a base mind daily subtracteth from his friendsA
For he holdeth himself so cheaply that others learn to despise himX
But where the meekness of self knowledge veileth the front of self respectW
There look thou for the man whom none can know but they will honourW
Humility is the softening shadow before the stature of ExcellenceA
And lieth lowly on the ground beloved and lovely as the violetW
Humility is the fair haired maid that called Worth her brotherW
The gentle silent nurse that fostereth infant virtuesA
Humility bringeth no excuse she is welcome to God and manV
Her countenance is needful unto all who would prosper in either worldW
And the mild light of her sweet face is mirrored in the eyes of her companionsA
And straightway stand they accepted children of penitence and loveQ
As when the blind man is nigh unto a rose its sweetness is the herald of its beautyW
So when thou savourest humility be sure thou art nigh unto meritW
A gift rejoiceth the covetous and praise fatteneth the vainA2
And the pride of man delighteth in the humble bearing of his fellowE2
But to the tender benevolence of the unthanked Almoner of goodW
Humility is queen among the graces for she giveth Him occasion to bestowE2
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Transcribed from Proverbial Philosophy by Mick Puttock August Spelling punctuation and grammer left mostly unchanged from the th editionH

Martin Farquhar Tupper



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