Poems and Prose: Student Lifestyles

Here is a translation from an anonymous 17th century Irish poem. We made a couple of minor adjustments to make the meaning clearer. What a life that students (supposedly) had back then!

Kind of reminds you of the kick-back life of grad school now.... :-) Apologies for the lack of gender-inclusive language in the poem. Hope this puts a smile on your face and a goose quill in your hand!

Student Life

The student's life is pleasant

And pleasant is his labour,

Search all Ireland over,

You'll find no better neighbour.

No lords nor petty princes

Dispute the student's pleasure,

No taxes stint his purse

No stewardship his leisure.

None orders early rising

Calf-rearing or cow-tending,

Nor nights of toilsome vigil,

His time is his for spending.

He takes a hand at draughts

And plucks the harp string bravely,

And fills his nights with courting

Some golden-haired light lady.

And when spring-time is come

No plow shaft does he follow--

But a fistful of quill pens

Forms his deep straight furrow!

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Here are some reflections on work and the role of leisure for learning. From Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 38: 24-34. Circa 190 BC, in the Septuagint:. We also note the specialness of all work and careers, and so not just that of "scribes" as well as the specialness of both genders who skillfully contribute to the diverse work force.

24 Leisure gives the scribe the chance to acquire wisdom; a man with few commitments can grow wise.

25 How can the ploughman become wise, whose sole ambition is to wield the goad, driving his oxen, engrossed in their work, his conversation limited to bullocks,

26 his thoughts absorbed in the furrows he traces and his long evenings spent in fattening heifers?

27 Similarly with all workmen and craftsmen, toiling day and night; those who engrave seals, for ever trying to think of a new design, concentrating on catching a good likeness and staying up late to get the work done.

28 Similarly with the blacksmith sitting by his anvil; he considers what to do with the pig-iron, the breath of the fire scorches his skin, as he contends with the heat of the furnace; the noise of the hammer deafens him, his eyes are fixed on the pattern; he concentrates on getting the job done well and stays up late to apply the finishing touches.

29 Similarly with the potter, sitting at his work, turning the wheel with his feet; constantly on the alert over his work, each flick of the finger premeditated;

30 he pummels the clay with his arm, and with his feet he kneads it; he concentrates on applying the glaze right and stays up late to clean the kiln.

31 All these people rely on their hands and each is skilled at his own craft.

32 A town could not be inhabited without them, there would be no settling, no travelling.

33 But you will not find them in the parliament, they do not hold high rank in the assembly. They do not sit on the judicial bench, and they do not meditate on the Law.

34 They are not remarkable for their culture or judgement, nor are they found frequenting the philosophers. They sustain the structure of the world, and their prayer is concerned with their trade.