I changed a bit of the poem from what I originally circled, and the punctuation is different, but I tried to keep it close.
Hide the Stars
a poem found in Galileo’s “Assayer”
by William Abernathy
that if we look through flames at people,
we shall see
quite plainly. Did it never enter your head
a flame between the eye and some star…
Surely there is no lack of
a skillful and prudent ex-
perimentalist?
the comet’s flame is like our flames,
a different natre,
our flames are not conclusive.
look at stars
and left out candle-snuffs,
You are obliged to kindle
and to make us see:
I shall be
much less. far away
I am satisfied
In place of the thickness.
to be seen gains an advantage–
let it be one of the stars
through the tail of the comet
brighter than any flame.
And now,
make the star visible
among the most prudent,
But if you fail:
silence, by which
I hope will now take place.
