Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO SIR THOMAS ROE (1), by BEN JONSON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO SIR THOMAS ROE (1), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou hast begun well, roe, which stand well too
Last Line: And ever is ill got without the first.
Subject(s): Roe, Sir Thomas (1581-1644)


Thou hast begun well, Roe, which stand well too,
And I know nothing more thou hast to do.
He that is round within himself, and straight,
Need seek no other strength, no other height;
Fortune upon him breaks herself, if ill,
And what would hurt his virtue makes it still.
That thou at once, then, nobly may'st defend
With thine own course the judgement of thy friend,
Be always to thy gathered self the same:
And study conscience, more than thou wouldst fame.
Though both be good, the latter yet is worst,
And ever is ill got without the first.





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