Contemplate the Sages- A Virelai Nouveau

Remember God. Invoke him for your aid and protector, as sailors do Castor and Pollux, in a storm. For what storm is greater than that which arises from these perilous semblances, contending to overset our reason? Indeed what is the storm itself, but a semblance? For do but take away the fear of death, and let there be as many thunders and lightnings as you please, you will find that to reason all is serenity and calm

-Epictetus



Contemplate the Sages

We wouldn’t live in such dismay
If fleeing death were not our way
For oft our wisest sages taught
That we the fear of death obey
That if we overcame this thought
And fought against its cruel display
.... well, we’d be freed of its dismay

Tranquility would calm the fray
If we this fear would wisely weigh
And hardly would we here distraught
Be grieved by semblances of gray
Nor cruelest fate eclipse our lot
Beneath the beauty of this day
Provided fear were not our way

envoi

So contemplate what sages say
And understand what wise ones thought
If fleeing death were not our way
We wouldn’t live in such dismay

-jwm

Solomon's Peace

Like Saul we all must come to death
If there’s to come a warring king
That David of our inner frame
That shames what Philistines would sing

Rebellious is the state of one
Redemptive, yes, the state of two
And if dear Swedenborg is right
The offspring is a creature new

So rise! Bring peace, Lord Solomon
And trump these wretched wars that rage
For weary is this inner frame
That reigns where Philistines engage

-jwm