With Donne, whose muse on dromedary trots, Wreathe iron pokers into true-love knots; Rhyme's sturdy cripple, fancy's maze and clue, Wit's forge and fire-blast, meaning's press and screw.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A satirical take on Donne’s poetry, mixing iron, love knots, and the forge of wit and meaning.
- In plain terms
- Donne’s poetry is a mix of iron, love knots, and the forge of wit.
- What can you take from it?
- Poetry can be a complex, crafted blend of ideas.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does the 'iron pokers' image convey?
- How does satire affect appreciation?
Another view
The dense metaphor may obscure meaning for some readers.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The knight's bones are dust, And his good sword rust; His soul is with the saints, I trust.
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