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Online Texts for Craig White's Literature Courses
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George Berkeley (1685-1753) a.k.a. Bishop Berkeley On the Prospect of Planting Artsand Learning in America(1726) |
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[Instructor's note: George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, was an important Idealistic philosopher. A contemporary of John Locke, his writings were well-known by Jonathan Edwards.
[Inspiration for this poem came partly from Berkeley's ambition to found a university in the Caribbean to educate Native Americans.]
Questions:
What religious, cultural, or political myths are implicit in the poem?
On the Prospect of Planting Arts
and Learning in America
The Muse, disgusted at an age and clime [Muse = spirit of poetic inspiration]Barren of every glorious theme,
In distant lands now waits a better time [distant lands = Americas, New World]
Producing subjects worthy fame;
In happy climes, where from the genial sun [climes = climates, zones]
And virgin earth such scenes ensue,
The force of art by nature seems outdone,
And fancied beauties by the true:
In happy climes, the feat of innocence,
Where nature guides, and virtue rules;
Where men shall not impose for truth and sense
The pedantry of courts and schools. [pedantry = artificial learning]
There shall be sung another golden age,
The rise of empire and arts,
The good and great inspiring epic rage, [rage = ambition?]
The wisest heads and noblest hearts.
Not such as Europe breeds in her decay;
Such as she bred when fresh and young,
When heavenly flame did animate her clay,
By future poets shall be sung.
Westward the course of empire takes its way: [famous line later adapted to "Manifest Destiny" or westward expansion]
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day:
Time's noblest offspring is the last.
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