Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO SIR HORACE VERE, by BEN JONSON



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO SIR HORACE VERE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Which of thy names I take, not only bears
Last Line: Who more should seek men's reverence, than fear.
Subject(s): Vere, Sir Horace (1565-1635)


Which of thy names I take, not only bears
A Roman sound, but Roman virtue wears,
Illustrious Vere, or Horace; fit to be
Sung by a Horace, or a muse as free;
Which thou art to thyself: whose fame was won
In the eye of Europe, where thy deeds were done,
When on thy trumpet she did sound a blast,
Whose relish to eternity shall last.
I leave thy acts, which should I prosecute
Throughout, might flattery seem; and to be mute
To any one, were envy: which would live
Against my grave, and time could not forgive.
I speak thy other graces, not less shown,
Nor less in practice; but less marked, less known:
Humanity, and piety, which are
As noble in great chiefs, as they are rare.
And best become the valiant man to wear,
Who more should seek men's reverence, than fear.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net