Contend You Not

[heslopian]

.

Contend you not then with the untrained mind, Bilbo refers to this kind of syntax as "Yoda-speak", and it's a handy metaphor, especially in this case. Having read the poem I can only suggest a complete overhaul of each line. There's meaning and beauty buried within it, but it's totally smothered by the style. Or, rather, the needless density and lack of imagery.
For instance, this first line could be simplified thus: "Do not contend with untrained minds and hearts". (I threw in "and hearts" to round out the meter, but you see what I mean, hopefully.)
Conspire it will the scalpel to evade, "It will evade any scalpel or blade"? Again, merely a suggestion. Please don't think that I'm suggesting these alternatives because I think they're perfect; I'm just trying to re-order the syntax while keeping the general idea.
It flees on fearful legs its thoughts to blind, Seeking to blind its thoughts it runs away"
Some semblance of false pride that it may save."Hoping to save some fragments of its pride"
Contend you not with those too eas’ly hurt, "Do not contend with those too quickly bruised"
Anemone, are they who thus do live,
Feelers at will, recall, when to its work,
Your reply, it has nothing there to give. I won't try to re-arrange these lines because I don't really know what they mean.
Contend not with those beyond all assail,
With strong walls thick that let no mote inside,
Your "You're" not invited to their carnival,
No worth "Not worthy"? to lean against the gate and bide.
The coin of proverbs can’t be give’ "gave" might fit better than an abbreviation. or spent,
Those who desire wisdom only to rent. "Those wishing to rent, not buy, your wisdom"? I might have bungled the meaning a bit there...

—Erthona

My meter's out of goose and the wording's not world-class, but I thought I'd re-order your lines simply to give you an idea of how they might be edited. I hope it worked Critique is JMHO. Thank you for the read