Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EPIGRAM. TO WILLIAM, EARL OF NEWCASTLE (1), by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: They talk of fencing, and the use of arms Last Line: And valiant were, with, or without their hands. | ||||||||
They talk of fencing, and the use of arms, The art of urging, and avoiding harms, The noble science, and the mastering skill Of making just approaches how to kill: To hit in angles, and to clash with time; As all defence, or offence were a chime! I hate such measured, give me mettled fire That trembles in the blaze, but (then) mounts higher! A quick, and dazzling motion! When a pair Of bodies meet like rarified air! Their weapons shot out, with that flame, and force, As they outdid the lightning in the course; This were a spectacle! A sight to draw Wonder to valour! No, it is the law Of daring, not to do a wrong is true Valour! To slight it, being done to you! To know the heads of danger! Where 'tis fit To bend, to break, provoke, or suffer it! All this (my lord) is valour! This is yours! And was your father's! All your ancestors! Who durst live great, 'mongst all the colds, and heats, Of human life! As all the frosts, and sweats Of fortune! When, or death appeared, or bands! And valiant were, with, or without their hands. | 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 |
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