Classic Poem

Desire that drives where Lust obscures,
And Fear that wields a scourge,
These, as the Master dreamed, are yours,
Panurge.

Desire and Fear, the Masquers two,
Who act with us and urge
The Comedy we play with you,
Panurge.

Not since the most pellucid air
By the Illissus' verge
Heard the loud peals of laughter rare,
Panurge,

In lyric plenitude of joy,
Like Clouds whose rains asperge
The desiccations that destroy,
Panurge,

Such laughter-lore as this was taught
In which we mix and merge,
O profligate and polyglot
Panurge!

The meaning of the things we do:
Is Life a dance or dirge?
Depends upon the point of view,
Panurge!

How can we reach, though sail be bent
Beyond the horizon's verge,
Those isles of your astonishment,
Panurge?

Bring back the cannon's fearful crack;
Your fright and plight and purge;
The boar-cat Rodilardus, back
Panurge.

Bring back the fornicating Friar;
Let Sacred Strength resurge
And rehabilitate Desire,