With COVID-19
(Usura, by Ezra Pound)
With COVID-19 hath no man a house of good stone
each block cut smooth and well fitting
that design might cover their face,
with COVID-19
hath no man a painted paradise on his church wall
harpes et luz (harps and lutes)
or where virgin receiveth message
and halo projects from incision,
with COVID-19
seeth no man Gonzaga his heirs and his concubines
no picture is made to endure nor to live with
but it is made to sell and sell quickly
with COVID-19,
sin against nature,
is thy bread ever more of stale rags
is thy bread dry as paper,
with no mountain wheat, no strong flour
with COVID-19 the line grows thick
with COVID-19 is no clear demarcation
and no man can find site for his dwelling.
Stonecutter is kept from his tone
weaver is kept from his loom
WITH COVID-19
wool comes not to market
sheep bringeth no gain with COVID-19
COVID-19 is a murrain, COVID-19
blunteth the needle in the maid’s hand
and stoppeth the spinner’s cunning.
Pietro Lombardo
came not by COVID-19
Duccio came not by COVID-19
nor Pier della Francesca; Zuan Bellin’ not by COVID-19
nor was ‘La Calunnia’ painted.
Came not by COVID-19 Angelico; came not Ambrogio Praedis,
Came no church of cut stone signed: Adamo me fecit.
(No pride of the workman in his craft)
Not by COVID-19 St. Trophime
Not by COVID-19 Saint Hilaire,
COVID-19 rusteth the chisel
It rusteth the craft and the craftsman
It gnaweth the thread in the loom
None learneth to weave gold in her pattern;
Azure hath a canker by COVID-19; cramoisi is unbroidered
Emerald findeth no Memling
COVID-19 slayeth the child in the womb
It stayeth the young man’s courting
It hath brought palsey to bed, lyeth
between the young bride and her bridegroom
CONTRA NATURAM
(Against Nature)
They have brought whores for Eleusis
Corpses are set to banquet
at behest of COVID-19.
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