Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN IMITATION OF MARTIAL'S EPIGRAM, 5, 21, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN IMITATION OF MARTIAL'S EPIGRAM, 5, 21, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: If, dearest friend, it my good fate might bee
Last Line: Knows a man how to live, and does he stay?
Subject(s): Martial (40-104)


IF, dearest Friend, it my good Fate might bee
T' enjoy at once a quiet Life and Thee;
If we for Happiness could leisure finde,
And wandring Time into a Method binde;
We should not sure the Great Men's Favour need,
Nor on long Hopes, the Court's thin Diet, feed.
We should not Patience find daily to hear
The Calumnies, and Flatteries spoken there.
We should not the Lord's Tables humbly use,
Or talk in Ladies' Chambers Love and News;
But Books and wise Discourse, Gardens and Fields,
And all the Joys that unmixt Nature yields.
Thick Summer shades where Winter still does ly,
Bright Winter Fires that Summer's part supply.
Sleep, not controll'd by Cares, confin'd to Night,
Or bound in any rule but Appetite.
Free, but not savage or ungracious Mirth,
Rich Wines to give it quick and easie birth.
A few Companions, which our selves should chuse,
A Gentle Mistress, and a Gentler Muse.
Such, dearest Friend, such without doubt should be
Our Place, our Business, and our Companie.
Now to Himself, alas, does neither Live,
But sees good Suns, of which we are to give
A strict account, set and march thick away;
Knows a Man how to Live, and does he stay?





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