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1828–1909

EMPEDOCLES

George Meredith

He leaped. With none to hinder, Of Aetna's fiery scoriae In the next vomit-shower, made he A more peculiar cinder.

And this great Doctor, can it be, He left no saner recipe For men at issue with despair? Admiring, even his poet owns,

While noting his fine lyric tones, The last of him was heels in air! Comes Reverence, her features Amazed to see high Wisdom hear,

With glimmer of a faunish leer, One mock her pride of creatures. Shall such sad incident degrade A stature casting sunniest shade?

O Reverence! let Reason swim; Each life its critic deed reveals; And him reads Reason at his heels, If heels in air the last of him!

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EMPEDOCLES · George Meredith · Poetry Cove