We spend our lives in learning pilotage,
And grow good steersmen when the vessel’s crank!
Gap-toothed he spake, and with a tottering shank
Sidled to gain the sunny bench of Age.
It is the sentence which completes that stage;
A testament of wisdom reading blank.
The seniors of the race, on their last plank,
Pass mumbling it as nature’s final page.
These, bent by such experience, are the band
Who captain young enthusiasts to maintain
What things we view, and Earth’s decree withstand,
Lest dreaded Change, long dammed by dull decay,
Should bring the world a vessel steered by brain,
And ancients musical at close of day.
(George Meredith)
More Poetry from George Meredith:
George Meredith Poems based on Topics: Mind, World, Brain, Wisdom & Knowledge, Education, Change, Age, Learning, Experience- A Faith On Trial (George Meredith Poems)
- The Day Of The Daughter Of Hades (George Meredith Poems)
- Alsace-Lorraine (George Meredith Poems)
- The Empty Purse--A Sermon To Our Later Prodigal Son (George Meredith Poems)
- The Shipwreck Of Idomeneus (George Meredith Poems)
- The Nuptials Of Attila (George Meredith Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Mind Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Education Poems, Age Poems, Change Poems, Brain Poems, Learning Poems, Experience PoemsBased on Keywords: crank, shank, completes, dammed, sidled, seniors, enthusiasts, gap-toothed, pilotage, steersmen