Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HALIEUTICA [HALIEUTICKS]: THE GREAT CHAIN OF BEING, by OPPIAN OF CILICIA Poet's Biography First Line: Of nature's chain how regular the links! Last Line: So all is diff'rent, and yet all is one. Alternate Author Name(s): Oppian Subject(s): Nature | ||||||||
Of Nature's Chain how regular the Links! Matter by slow Gradations downward sinks; And intermediate Changes gently pass From lightsome AEther to the dullest Mass. Or climb by the same Steps from lumpish Clay To the bright Liquid, and the fine-spun Ray. Dissolving Earth in fluid Moisture glides, And Rocks transform'd flow down in silver Tides. Dilating Streams in vap'ry Columns rise, And sweating Seas will gild the distant Skies. Dispersing Clouds to nobler Forms aspire, Refine to AEther, or ferment to Fire. Things only differ as condense, or rare. Impurer Skies will thicken into Air; Air when too gross will falling Drops increase, And hang in lucid Pearls on weeping Trees. The glewy Substance, that no longer flows, Stagnates to Slime; and slimy Matter grows To earthy Mould; that hard'ning turns to Stone. So all is diff'rent, and yet All is One. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INTERRUPTED MEDITATION by ROBERT HASS TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS THE FATALIST: HOME by LYN HEJINIAN WRITING IS AN AID TO MEMORY: 17 by LYN HEJINIAN LET US GATHER IN A FLOURISHING WAY by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA IN MICHAEL ROBINS?ÇÖS CLASS MINUS ONE by HICOK. BOB BREADTH. CIRCLE. DESERT. MONARCH. MONTH. WISDOM by JOHN HOLLANDER VARIATIONS: 16 by CONRAD AIKEN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN HALIEUTICA [HALIEUTICKS]: EELS AND TORTOISES by OPPIAN OF CILICIA HALIEUTICA [HALIEUTICKS]: THE HERMIT-CRAB by OPPIAN OF CILICIA |
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