Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MY TRULY-BELOVED FRIEND, MR. BROWNE: ON HIS PASTORALS, by BEN JONSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MY TRULY-BELOVED FRIEND, MR. BROWNE: ON HIS PASTORALS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some men of books or friends not speaking right
Last Line: With the 'how much' they set forth, but the 'how well'.
Subject(s): Browne, William (1591-1645)


Some men of books or friends not speaking right,
May hurt them more with praise, than foes with spite.
But I have seen thy work, and I know thee:
And, if thou list thyself, what thou canst be.
For, though but early in these paths thou tread,
I find thee write most worthy to be read.
It must be thine own judgement, yet, that sends
This thy work forth: that judgement mine commends.
And, where the most read books, on authors' fames,
Or, like our money-brokers, take up names
On credit, and are cozened; see, that thou
By offering not more sureties, than enou',
Hold thine own worth unbroke: which is so good
Upon the Exchange of letters, as I would
More of our writers would like thee, not swell
With the 'how much' they set forth, but the 'how well'.





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