Lady Grey　

DOCTOR PHILLIPS
I see the risky order of thy shelves,
where volumes holy crush their rigid hides
’gainst heresies that flexing papers flaunt,
and cannot help but puzzle at the path
thy learning—should I term it that—doth wend.
Pray tell, assure me of what ends thou seek’st.

LADY GREY
Oh modest doctor, be thou troubled not
to view these vanities here thus arrayed,
for truth by disputation not distilled
so hath her subtile savor watered down
with pungent error’s ticing puissant spice
that I should never nuture in myself
what powers seem most fit beneath the eye
which, of them, hath seen all and so might chuse.

PHI. To chuse the righteous—this thou signifi’st?

GRE. If only ’twere so simple to assess,
as ’tis to God with His omniscience.
I have alone dark counsels from my heart.
And from my friends, when I do hark to them.

PHI. We would thou did, my Lady Grey, more oft.

GRE. But oft thou wouldst restrain me from the hights
a lady such as I endowed could reach—
yea, should aspire for discharge of care.

PHI. And yet thy words do ease thy servant ill.

GRE. There’s naught I seek except it make us well.

Feb 2025