Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EPITAPH ON MASTER VINCENT CORBET, by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have my piety too, which could Last Line: Who makes the one, so it be first, makes both. Subject(s): Epitaphs | ||||||||
I have my piety too, which could It vents itself but as it would, Would say as much as both have done Before me here, the friend and son; For I both lost a friend and father, Of him whose bones this grave doth gather: Dear Vincent Corbett, who so long Had wrestled with diseases strong That though they did possess each limb, Yet he broke them, ere they could him, With the just canon of his life; A life that knew nor noise nor strife, But was, by sweetening so his will, All order and disposure still. His mind as pure, and neatly kept, As were his nurseries, and swept So of uncleanness or offence, That never came ill odour thence; And add his actions unto these, They were as specious as his trees. 'Tis true, he could not reprehend; His very manners taught to amend, They were so even, grave, and holy; No stubbornness so stiff, nor folly To license ever was so light As twice to trespass in his sight; His looks would so correct it, when It chid the vice, yet not the men. Much from him I profess I won, And more and more I should have done, But that I understood him scant. Now I conceive him by my want, And pray, who shall my sorrows read, That they for me their tears will shed; For truly, since he left to be, I feel I'm rather dead than he! Reader, whose life and name did e'er become An epitaph, deserved a tomb; Nor wants it here, through penury or sloth; Who makes the one, so it be first, makes both. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: RICHARD BONE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS AN EPITAPH, INTENDED FOR HIMSELF by JAMES BEATTIE EPITAPH: IN OBITUM M.S. XO MAIJ, 1614 by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) EPITAPH ON THE LADY MARY VILLIERS [OR VILLERS] (1) by THOMAS CAREW EPITAPH ON THE LADY MARY VILLIERS [OR VILLERS] (2) by THOMAS CAREW A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 1. HIS EXCUSE FOR LOVING by BEN JONSON A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 4. HER TRIUMPH by BEN JONSON A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 5. HIS DISCOURSE WITH CUPID by BEN JONSON |
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