Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EPIGRAM ON WILLIAM, LORD BURLEIGH, LORD HIGH TREASURER, by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If thou wouldst know the virtues of mankind Last Line: Of divine blessing, would not serve a state? | ||||||||
If thou wouldst know the virtues of mankind, Read here in one, what thou in all canst find, And go no farther: let this circle be Thy universe, though his epitome. Cecil the grave, the wise, the great, the good, What is there more that can ennoble blood? The orphan's pillar, the true subject's shield, The poor's full storehouse, and just servant's field. The only faithful watchman for the realm, That in all tempests, never quit the helm, But stood unshaken in his deeds, and name, And laboured in the work; not with the fame: That still was good for goodness' sake, nor thought Upon reward, till the reward him sought. Whose offices and honours did surprise, Rather than meet him: and, before his eyes Closed to their peace, he saw his branches shoot, And in the noblest families took root Of all the land; who now at such a rate, Of divine blessing, would not serve a state? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 4. HER TRIUMPH by BEN JONSON A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 5. HIS DISCOURSE WITH CUPID by BEN JONSON A FIT OF RHYME AGAINST RHYME [OR, RIME] by BEN JONSON A NYMPH'S PASSION by BEN JONSON A SONNET, TO THE NOBLE LADY, THE LADY MARY WROTH by BEN JONSON AN ODE TO HIMSELF by BEN JONSON ANSWER TO MASTER WITHER'S SONG, 'SHALL I, WASTING IN DESPAIR?' by BEN JONSON EPICOENE; OR, THE SILENT WOMAN: FREEDOM IN DRESS by BEN JONSON EPIGRAM: 118. ON GUT by BEN JONSON |
|