Meditações - Time bids us to be wise

Lines on Nonsense

Yes, nonsense is a treasure!

   I love it from my heart;

The only earthly pleasure

   That never will depart.

 

But, as for stupid reason,

    That stalking, ten-foot rule,

She’s always out of season,

    A tedious, testy fool.

 

She’s like a walking steeple,

    With a clock for face and eyes,

Still bawling to all people,

   Time bids us to be wise.

 

While nonsense on the spire

    A weathercock you’ll find,

Than reason soaring higher,

    And changing with the wind.

 

The clock too oft deceives,

    Says what it cannot prove;

While every one believes

    The vane that turns above.

 

Reason oft speaks unbidden,

    And chides us to our face;

For which she should be chidden,

    And taught to know her place.

 

While nonsense smiles and chatters,

    And says such charming things,

Like youthful hope she flatters;

    And like a syren sings.

 

Her charm’s from fancy borrowed,

    For she is fancy’s pet;

Her name is on her forehead,

    In rainbow colors set.

 

Then, nonsense let us cherish,

    Far, far from reason’s light;

Lest in her light she perish,

   And vanish from our sight.

Eliza Lee Follen