A Ballad Sent to King Richard
Sometime this world was so steadfast and stable,
That man's word was held obligation;
And now it is so false and deceivable,
That word and work, as in conclusion,
Be nothing one; for turned up so down
Is all this world, through meed and wilfulness,
That all is lost for lack of steadfastness.
What makes this world to be so variable,
But lust that folk have in dissension?
For now-a-days a man is held unable
But if he can, by some collusion,
Do his neighbour wrong or oppression.
What causeth this but wilful wretchedness,
That all is lost for lack of steadfastness?
Truth is put down, reason is holden fable;
Virtue hath now no domination;
Pity exil'd, no wight is merciable;
Through covetise is blent discretion;
The worlde hath made permutation
From right to wrong, from truth to fickleness,
That all is lost for lack of steadfastness.
L'Envoy.
O Prince! desire to be honourable;
Cherish thy folk, and hate extortion;
Suffer nothing that may be reprovable
To thine estate, done in thy region;
Show forth the sword of castigation;
Dread God, do law, love thorough worthiness,
And wed thy folk again to steadfastness.
poem by Geoffrey Chaucer
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Related quotes
Lak of Stedfastnesse
Somtyme the world was so stedfast and stable
That mannes word was obligacioun,
And now it is so fals and deceivable
That word and deed, as in conclusioun,
Ben nothing lyk, for turned up-so-doun
Is al this world for mede and wilfulnesse,
That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse.
What maketh this world to be so variable
But lust that folk have in dissensioun?
For among us now a man is holde unable,
But if he can by som collusioun
Don his neighbour wrong or oppressioun.
What causeth this but wilful wrecchednesse,
That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse?
Trouthe is put doun, resoun is holden fable,
Vertu hath now no dominacioun;
Pitee exyled, no man is merciable.
Through covetyse is blent discrecioun.
The world hath mad a permutacioun
Fro right to wrong, fro trouthe to fikelnesse,
That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse.
O prince, desyre to be honourable,
Cherish thy folk and hate extorcioun.
Suffre nothing that may be reprevable
To thyn estat don in thy regioun.
Shew forth thy swerd of castigacioun,
Dred God, do law, love trouthe and worthinesse,
And wed thy folk agein to stedfastnesse.
poem by Geoffrey Chaucer
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Sonnet: Things Happen as Per God’s Wish
Miracles, God performs even these days!
His divine plans will come all true always;
He does all things in strange and unique ways;
‘If God is truth, truth will triumph’- Man says.
Discovers God, new Shepherds for His flock;
The world functions only as Per His word,
No matter whatev’r Man does to the clock,
For God loves man much more than any bird.
And don’t forget that He’s the Almighty;
He made things to obey His Holy Will;
He wants the world’s both clergy and laity,
To climb with steadfastness, life’s rocky hill.
Who will give life and shed his blood for men?
What love has made Man, World, also Heaven?
6-16-2001
poem by John Celes
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Good Counsel of Chaucer
Flee from the press, and dwell with soothfastness;
Suffice thee thy good, though it be small;
For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness,
Press hath envy, and weal is blent o'er all,
Savour no more than thee behove shall;
Read well thyself, that other folk canst read;
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.
Paine thee not each crooked to redress,
In trust of her that turneth as a ball;
Great rest standeth in little business:
Beware also to spurn against a nail;
Strive not as doth a crocke with a wall;
Deeme thyself that deemest others' deed,
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.
What thee is sent, receive in buxomness;
The wrestling of this world asketh a fall;
Here is no home, here is but wilderness.
Forth, pilgrim! Forthe beast, out of thy stall!
Look up on high, and thank thy God of all!
Weive thy lust, and let thy ghost thee lead,
And truth thee shall deliver, it is no dread.
poem by Geoffrey Chaucer
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To Life's Pilgrim
FLY from the press, and dwell with soothfastness;
Suffice unto thy good, though it be small,
For hoard hath hate, and climbing tickleness ;
Preise hath envie, and weal is blent o'er all.
Savor no more than thee behoven shall,
Rede well thy self that other folk can'st rede,
And Truth thee shalt deliver 'tis no drede.
That thee is sent receive in buxomness :
The wrestling of this world, asketh a fall.
Here is no home, here is but wilderness.
Forth, pilgrim, forth on, best out of thy stall;
Look up on high, and thank the God of all!
Weivith thy lust, and let thy ghost thee lead,
And Truth thee shalt deliver 'tis no drede.
poem by Geoffrey Chaucer
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Since Thou Hast Given Me This Good Hope, O God
SINCE thou hast given me this good hope, O God,
That while my footsteps tread the flowery sod
And the great woods embower me, and white dawn
And purple even sweetly lead me on
From day to day, and night to night, O God,
My life shall no wise miss the light of love;
But ever climbing, climb above
Man's one poor star, man's supine lands,
Into the azure steadfastness of death,
My life shall no wise lack the light of love,
My hands not lack the loving touch of hands;
But day by day, while yet I draw my breath,
And day by day, unto my last of years,
I shall be one that has a perfect friend.
Her heart shall taste my laughter and my tears,
And her kind eyes shall lead me to the end.
poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
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Lost In A World Of Lust
What's love got to do with it when you're lost in a world of lust?
where sex is forever sybliminal and fornication is a must.
when you're lost in a world of lust it is there for the duration
everybody's main objective is sustaining this temporary sensation
what's love got to do with it when all you care about is your personal satisfaction.
The societies attention fixed on a physical attraction.
What's love got to do with it when you live in a false reality
the population defined by the change in sexuality.
Blind to any other way that we can show affection.
Becoming less and less descreet 'bout how we make partner selection
It is the thing that is the topic of almost every conversation.
Every aspect of the media encouraging sexual participation.
When you're lost in a world of lust every where there is temptation
when you're lost in a world of lust desire is the infactuation.
poem by Sylvia Perry
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Poem: Colored People
Do you realize that races are overrated,
since God is no respecter of persons?
Colored perceptions of hatred and bigotry
may ultimately destroy our existence.
Who needs people that:
• Lack brotherly love and respect for others
• Lust for power, wealth and domination
• Lack vision and purpose
• Lack maturity and wisdom
• Have attitudes of superiority
• Are poor in spirit
• Lack discipline and self-control
Colored attitudes, regarding skin tones and hues,
pale in contrast to uncontrolled emotions.
Without responsibility and accountability,
people get themselves in trouble rather quickly.
Who really wants or needs:
• Red’s lustful, passion for someone other than your spouse?
• or Green’s destructional envy of others’ wealth or possessions?
• or Yellow’s fear, smelling of urine from peeing ourselves?
• or White’s collection of powdered deaths?
• or Blue’s inner sadness or coldness towards others?
• or Brown’s poverty, shame and overall uncleanness?
• or Orange steadfastness for a Godless life?
• or Purple’s smugness from a self-conceived ideal of royalty?
• or Black’s foreboding sicknesses and death?
Our human collective needs to find real commonality,
within this brotherhood of man, as planetary stewards.
Under girded with a genuineness of concern and love,
true understanding can lead to harmonious relationships.
We all have the ability to commune with God’s Spirit;
however, we each must have a desire to do so.
Utopia may be unattainable, unlike… unity of community.
And yes, I forgive you, for thinking I might be racist.
Author Notes:
Loosely based on:
Acts 10: 34; Gal 2: 6; Deut 10: 17; 1 Pet 1: 17
Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http: //www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513
By Joseph J. Breunig 3rd, © 2012, All rights reserved.
poem by Joseph James Breunig 3rd
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Where is my Ruined Life ?
WHERE is my ruined life, and where the fame
Of noble deeds?
Look on my long-drawn road, and whence it came,
And where it leads!
Can drunkenness be linked to piety
And good repute?
Where is the preacher's holy monody,
Where is the lute?
From monkish cell and lying garb released,
Oh heart of mine,
Where is the Tavern fane, the Tavern priest,
Where is the wine?
Past days of meeting, let the memory
Of you be sweet!
Where are those glances fled, and where for me
Reproaches meet?
His friend's bright face warms not the enemy
When love is done--
Where is the extinguished lamp that made night day,
Where is the sun?
Balm to mine eyes the dust, my head I bow
Upon thy stair.
Where shall I go, where from thy presence? thou
Art everywhere.
Look not upon the dimple of her chin,
Danger lurks there!
Where wilt thou hide, oh trembling heart, fleeing in
Such mad haste--where?
To steadfastness and patience, friend, ask not
If Hafiz keep--
Patience and steadfastness I have forgot,
And where is sleep?
poem by Shams al-Din Hafiz
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Vanitas! Vanitatum Vanitas!
MY trust in nothing now is placed,
Hurrah!
So in the world true joy I taste,
Hurrah!
Then he who would be a comrade of mine
Must rattle his glass, and in chorus combine,
Over these dregs of wine.
I placed my trust in gold and wealth,
Hurrah!
But then I lost all joy and health,
Lack-a-day!
Both here and there the money roll'd,
And when I had it here, behold,
From there had fled the gold!
I placed my trust in women next,
Hurrah!
But there in truth was sorely vex'd,
Lack-a-day!
The False another portion sought,
The True with tediousness were fraught,
The Best could not be bought.
My trust in travels then I placed,
Hurrah!
And left my native land in haste.
Lack-a-day!
But not a single thing seem'd good,
The beds were bad, and strange the food,
And I not understood.
I placed my trust in rank and fame,
Hurrah!
Another put me straight to shame,
Lack-a-day!
And as I had been prominent,
All scowl'd upon me as I went,
I found not one content.
I placed my trust in war and fight,
Hurrah!
We gain'd full many a triumph bright,
Hurrah!
Into the foeman's land we cross'd,
We put our friends to equal cost,
And there a leg I lost.
My trust is placed in nothing now,
Hurrah!
At my command the world must bow,
Hurrah!
And as we've ended feast and strain,
The cup we'll to the bottom drain;
No dregs must there remain!
poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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In The Dim Past
Their names have been changed like,
Another fairy tale;
In the Island of Paxos!
Gorwing stronger each year and,
Thinking about the muse of your lover;
But try to remember Costantine.
The Bacchanal lamentations,
Of Ishtar and Tammuz!
The lighting of candles,
And like the Greek Aphrodite;
Man's desire for an increase brought about,
The council of Nicea which changed the truth!
Of coloured eggs and rabbits,
Pagan to the facts known to us today!
And from the old world into the new world,
For we are all lost in the dim past.
Abominations! !
For no reference is now made on this issue;
But, there is a land flowing with milk and honey.
Just as it was before and like the problems at various homes,
But do not behave like the dogs when you hear the truth!
And like the folk tales of the world around you.
An apple tree for a boy and,
A pear tree for a girl;
An honourable name is better than fine perfume!
But with hopes and dreams in the dim past,
For this act was recorded in AD 325.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble.
quote by Ludwig van Beethoven
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Were Lost In A World
were lost in a world were we cannit brake free
were lost in a world were there is just know me
were lost in a world were there is pain and sorrow
were lost in a world were there is know tomorrow
were lost in a world were there is know happyendings
were lost in a world were everybodys prtending
were lost in a world were heartbreak is everyday
were lost in a world were only good pray
were lost in a world thats at war
were lost in a world were nobody can take know more
poem by Jessica Rutherford
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Albert Einstein
unified field theory
They say I did not reach my destination, that I was wrong, still I went on, our intent, our wisdom, folly, determination, steadfastness, passion are parts of our soul. You should see my discoveries in the other worlds I was born into, worlds far grander, more interesting in endless positive ways than the one you are in now.
poem by Michael Kavuoti
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Christmas in the year of the War
NEVERTHELESS this Year of Grief
The Tree of God's in leaf.
The stem, the branch quickeneth
With sap, this year of Death.
For in the time of the flowering thorn
The Babe, the Babe, is born!
Christ's folk, look up, be not dismayed,
The Lord's in the cattle shed.
He comes, a little trembling One,
To a world else lost, undone.
With His poor folk He wills to stay
In this their difficult day.
Poor war-worn world, you shall have ease!
He signs your lasting peace.
He hath given His people rest from wars,
By the cold light of stars.
The charter of their peace shall stand
Writ by His hour-old hand.
The Tree of Paradise quickeneth.
Be still,--there is no death!
poem by Katharine Tynan
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The Folk I Love
I do hate the folk I love-
They hurt so.
Their least word and act may be
Source of woe.
'Won't you come to tea with me?'
'Not today'
I'm so tired, I've been to church
Such folk say.
All the dreary afternoon
I must clutch
At the strength to love like them
Not too much
poem by Lesbia Harford
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Sweet Old World
(lucinda williams)
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
The breath from your own lips, the touch of fingertips
A sweet and tender kiss
The sound of a midnight train, wearing someones ring
Someone calling your name
Somebody so warm cradled in your arm
Didnt you think you were worth anything
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
Millions of us in love, promises made good
Your own flesh and blood
Looking for some truth, dancing with no shoes
The beat, the rhythm, the blues
The pounding of your hearts drum together with another one
Didnt you think anyone loved you
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
song performed by by Emmylou Harris
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Truth
Fle fro the pres, and dwelle with sothefastnesse,
Suffise thin owen thing, thei it be smal;
For hord hath hate, and clymbyng tykelnesse,
Prees hath envye, and wele blent overal.
Savour no more thanne the byhove schal;
Reule weel thiself, that other folk canst reede;
And trouthe schal delyvere, it is no drede.
Tempest the nought al croked to redresse,
In trust of hire that tourneth as a bal.
Myche wele stant in litel besynesse;
Bywar therfore to spurne ayeyns an al;
Stryve not as doth the crokke with the wal.
Daunte thiself, that dauntest otheres dede;
And trouthe shal delyvere, it is no drede.
That the is sent, receyve in buxumnesse;
The wrestlyng for the worlde axeth a fal.
Here is non home, here nys but wyldernesse.
Forth, pylgryme, forth! forth, beste, out of thi stal!
Know thi contré! loke up! thonk God of al!
Hold the heye weye, and lat thi gost the lede;
And trouthe shal delyvere, it is no drede.
[L'envoy.]
Therfore, thou Vache, leve thine olde wrechednesse;
Unto the world leve now to be thral.
Crie hym mercy, that of hys hie godnesse
Made the of nought, and in espec{.i}al
Draw unto hym, and pray in general
For the, and eke for other, hevenelyche mede;
And trouthe schal delyvere, it is no drede.
poem by Geoffrey Chaucer
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I'm feeling all alone
I've always said this is a big big world
And now I'm lost in this world
Lost feeling...
Lost love...
Lost and confused,
Even broken and used.
Lost everything for love
I'm so lost
Im dying inside
When trus is lost, how can things,
move forward?
I'm feeling all alone
I'm lost in my feelings
I'm lost in everything.
I los him...
I los his heart.
Wanted to write a poem
But lost the words
I've lost everything and I don't,
Know why.
I'm lost in this world
My mind is lost
I cant seem to trust anyone
Thoughts of nothing
No dreams or goals
I'm lost in this world.
poem by Maria Luisa Taylor
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This World
They say trust on us
They say our time will come
And your dreams will come alive
One day, we will find
No way to cross this line
Its where our worlds collide
This world is not made for you and i
Its build on blood and a million lies
Some say we dont fit in
Were lost in another world
Their truth will never hold
Cos , ones heart is ones soul
Were living ,day by day
Let them wither, till theyre old and grey
This world is not made for you and i
Its build on blood and a million lies
I was blind, but now I see
We are destined for misery
If youre lost, you wont be found
There is no guiding hand of destiny
This world is not made for you and i
Its build on blood and a million lies
They paint the fabric of our lives, down and out
With nowhere to hide
What you miss, what you need, what you lack is a peace of mind, our worlds collide.
song performed by by Xymox
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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This Hate
I hate the word terrorist
I hate how it is used
I hate the war began by it
I hate the hate that ensues
I hate the politicians, who squander human lives
I hate the people
I hate the people who allow
I hate the people who ignore the truth
I hate myself who stands helpless, frustrated, and confused
I hate… hate
I hate the truth of today
I hate the horror of yesterday
I hate that I cannot forget
I hate the media who conform the masses
I hate the fear that leaves a repugnant odor
I hate those that use this fear to kill
All this hate I bear eats at me
This hate eats you
Hate will consume us, until all of humanity is lost
While I spin so does the world
While we die so does the world
While the world is at war
There will be no winner
There will be no victory
There will be no peace
Wake up……
WAKE up…….
WAKE UP………
So we can end this hate
poem by Samson Minder
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