Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VOLPONE: FOOLS, by BEN JONSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VOLPONE: FOOLS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fools, they are the only nation
Last Line: He, he, he?
Variant Title(s): Nano's Song


Fools, they are the only nation
Worth men's envy, or admiration;
Free from care, or sorrow-taking,
Selves, and others merry making:
All they speak, or do, is sterling.
Your fool, he is your great man's darling,
And your lady's sport and pleasure;
Tongue and bauble are his treasure.
E'en his face begetteth laughter,
And he speaks truth free from slaughter;
He's the grace of every feast,
And, sometimes, the chiefest guest;
Hath his trencher, and his stool,
When wit waits upon the fool.
O, who would not be
He, he, he?





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