Song Meaning
The lyrics open with a stark image: "deadly serpents lurking," a chilling metaphor for envy. This insidious force actively works to "disgrace those men" who strive for recognition. The speaker immediately establishes a battleground where hard work and artistic merit are under attack. It's a direct confrontation with unseen, malicious forces.
This envy isn't just passive; it "lyeth working" to undermine those who build their "height of name" through "labour, art and pen." The lyrics paint a picture of diligent creators, achieving success through genuine effort and skill, only to be targeted by a corrosive jealousy. It's a timeless struggle between creation and destruction, ambition and resentment.
The speaker then dismisses their detractors with a fascinating, almost scholarly disdain, labeling them "carping Momi" and "idle foolish Zoili." These archaic terms for fault-finders and envious critics elevate the conflict beyond simple name-calling. Instead of engaging with petty gossip, the narrator declares a bold move: submitting their work "to judgement's learned censure" from "men of better sort." This isn't just defiance; it's a strategic appeal to a higher court of opinion.
This deliberate choice to face rigorous, informed critique, rather than the "idle foolish" chatter, is what makes these lyrics resonate. It champions artistic integrity and confidence in one's craft. The speaker's willingness to "put myself in venture" against the backdrop of lurking malice makes a powerful statement about standing by one's work, even when surrounded by those who wish to tear it down.
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