Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VIRTUE, by JOSEPH BEAUMONT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VIRTUE, by                    
First Line: Virtue! Why first she brings not in
Last Line: Should fools thy lustre praise.
Subject(s): Virtue


VIRTUE! why first she brings not in
Such gains, as gallant Sin.
Has not his squeamish conscience quite
Beggerd your Loyal Wight?
Whilst the brave Rebell reigns upon
Your royal Martyrs throne.

2

And then, she's not gentile. pray shew
Me in the list of new
Sheer Fashions so much as but
The name of Virtue put.
And must we plod in the plain rode
Of our stale Grandsires Mode?

3

Besides, She's baseborn, & below
A Gentleman: for how
Can she pretend to Gallantry
Who cannot be, yf high?
What Exc'llance can in her be seen,
Whose essence is the Mean?

4

Lastly, wherever she doth come
She's viley troublesome;
Putting her deerest Friends to great
Expence of pains & sweat.
Troth let her go for me: a guest
Like her, when gone is best.

5

Thus dreams the Fool what pleases him,
And thus talks in his dream.
And let him talk: deer Virtue, he
By blaming praiseth thee.
Wise eyes would strait suspect thy rays
Should Fools thy Lustre praise.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net