A More Fruitful Knowledge

“First, to the first [imputation]. That a man might better spend is time [on more fruitful knowledges rather than poetry] is a reason indeed, but it doth, as they say, but petere principium. For of it be, as I affirm, that no learning is so good as that which teacheth and moveth to virtue, and conclusion manifest, that ink and paper cannot be to a more profitable purpose employed. And certainly, though a man should grant their first assumption, it should follow (methinks) very unwillingly that good is not good because better is better. But I still and utterly deny that there is sprung out of the earth a more fruitful knowledge.”– Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586)

Tree of truth

Knowledge’s pear

Nurse of abuse

Mother of lies

Pestilent lust

Siren’s sweet song

Softening us

Martial and strong

Sleepily lull

Cast out