Analysis of The Tradesman and the Scholar
Anne Kingsmill Finch 1661 – 1720 (Westminster)
A Citizen of mighty Pelf,
But much a Blockhead, in himself
Disdain'd a Man of shining Parts,
Master of Sciences and Arts,
Who left his Book scarce once a day
For sober Coffee, Smoak, or Tea;
Nor spent more Money in the Town
Than bought, when need requir'd, a Gown;
Which way of Living much offends
The Alderman, who gets and spends,
And grudges him the Vital Air,
Who drives no Trade, and takes no Care.
Why Bookworm! to him once he cry'd,
Why, setting thus the World aside,
Dost thou thy useless Time consume,
Enclos'd within a lonely Room,
And poring damnify thy Wit,
'Till not for Men, or Manners fit ?
Hop'st thou, with urging of thy Vein,
To spin a Fortune from thy Brain?
Or gain a Patron, that shall raise
Thy solid State, for empty Praise?
No; trust not to your Soothings vile,
Receiv'd per me's the only Stile.
Your Book's but frown'd on by My Lord;
If Mine's uncross'd, I reach his Board.
In slighting Yours, he shuts his Hand;
Protracting Mine, devolves the Land.
Then let Advantage be the Test,
Which of us Two ev'n Writes the best.
Besides, I often Scarlet wear,
And strut to Church, just next the Mayor.
Whilst rusty Black, with Inch of Band,
Is all the Dress you understand;
Who in the Pulpit thresh to Please,
Whilst I below can snore at Ease.
Yet, if you prove me there a Sinner,
I let you go without a Dinner.
This Prate was so beneath the Sence
Of One, who Wisdom cou'd dispense,
Unheard, or unreturn'd it past:
But War now lays the City waste,
And plunder'd Goods profusely fell
By length of Pike, not length of Ell.
Abroad th' Inhabitants are forc'd,
From Shops, and Trade, and Wealth divorc'd.
The Student leaving but his Book,
The Tumult of the Place forsook.
In Foreign Parts, One tells his Tale,
How Rich he'd been, how quick his Sale,
Which do's for scanty Alms prevail.
The Chance of War whilst he deplores,
And dines at Charitable Doors;
The Man of Letters, known by Fame,
Was welcom'd, wheresoe'er he came.
Still, Potentates entreat his Stay,
Whose Coaches meet him on the Way:
And Universities contest
Which shall exceed, or use him best.
Amaz'd the Burgomaster sees
On Foot, and scorn'd such Turns as these;
And sighing, now deplores too late
His cumb'rous Trash, and shallow Pate:
Since loaded but with double Chest
Of learned Head, and honest Breast,
The Scholar moves from Place to Place,
And finds in every Climate Grace.
Wit and the Arts, on that Foundation rais'd,
(Howe'er the Vulgar are with Shows amaz'd)
Is all that recommends, or can be justly prais'd.
Scheme | AABBCXDDEEFFCXGGHHIIJJKKLL MMNNFOMMPPOOBXXXQQRR SSTTTUUVVCCNNPPWWNNXX YYY |
---|---|
Poetic Form | Etheree (31%) |
Metre | 01001101 1101001 01011101 10110001 11111101 11010111 11110001 111101001 11110101 01001101 01010101 11110111 1111111 11010101 11110101 01010101 010111 11111101 111110111 11010111 11010111 11011101 1111111 01110101 11111111 1111111 01011111 11101 11010101 111111101 01110101 011111010 11011111 1101101 10010111 11011111 111111010 111101010 11110101 11110101 011111 11110101 01010101 11111111 0111010011 11010101 01010111 01010101 01011111 11111111 11110101 01111101 01110001 01110111 110111 110111 11011101 0010010 11011111 0101001 11011111 01010111 1110101 11011101 1110101 01011111 010100101 1001110101 1001011101 11101111101 |
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 2,502 |
Words | 452 |
Sentences | 21 |
Stanzas | 4 |
Stanza Lengths | 26, 20, 21, 3 |
Lines Amount | 70 |
Letters per line (avg) | 27 |
Words per line (avg) | 6 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 479 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 113 |
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 2:24 min read
- 71 Views
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"The Tradesman and the Scholar" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/3311/the-tradesman-and-the-scholar>.
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