Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LETTER, by HENRY KING (1592-1669)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LETTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I ne'er was dress'd in forms; nor can I bend
Last Line: Which will in death seal the bold counterpart.


I NE'ER was dress'd in forms; nor can I bend
My pen to flatter any, nor commend,
Unless desert or honour do present
Unto my verse a worthy argument.

You are my friend, and in that word to me
Stand blazon'd in your noblest heraldry;
That style presents you full, and does relate
The bounty of your love, and my own fate,
Both which conspir'd to make me yours. A choice,
Which needs must, in the giddy people's voice,
That only judge the outside, and, like apes,
Play with our names, and comment on our shapes,
Appear too light: but it lies you upon,
To justify the disproportion.

Truth be my record, I durst not presume
To seek to you, 'twas you that did assume
Me to your bosom. Wherein you subdu'd
One that can serve you, though ne'er could intrude
Upon great titles; nor knows how t' invade
Acquaintance: Like such as are only paid
With great men's smiles; if that the passant Lord
Let fall a forc'd salute, or but afford
The nod regardant. It was test enough
For me, you ne'er did find such servile stuff
Couch'd in my temper; I can freely say,
I do not love you in that common way
For which Great Ones are lov'd in this false time:
I have no wish to gain, nor will to climb;
I cannot pawn my freedom, nor outlive
My liberty, for all that you can give.
And sure you may retain good cheap such friends,
Who not your fortune make, but you, their ends.
I speak not this to vaunt in my own story,
All these additions are unto your glory;
Who, counter to the world, use to elect,
Not to take up on trust, what you affect.
Indeed 'tis seldom seen that such as you
Adopt a friend, or for acquaintance sue;
Yet you did this vouchsafe, you did descend
Below yourself to raise an humble friend,
And fix him in your love: where I will stand
The constant subject of your free command.
Had I no airy thoughts, sure you would teach
Me higher than my own dull sphere to reach:
And, by reflex, instruct me to appear
Something (though coarse and plain) fit for your wear.

Know, best of friends, however wild report
May justly say, I am unapt to sort
With your opinion or society
(Which truth would shame me, did I it deny),
There's something in me says, I dare make good,
When honour calls me, all I want in blood.

Put off your giant titles, then I can
Stand in your judgement's blank an equal man.
Though hills advanced are above the plain,
They are but higher earth, nor must disdain
Alliance with the vale: we see a spade
Can level them, and make a mount a glade.
Howe'er we differ in the Heralds' book,
He that mankind's extraction shall look
In Nature's rolls, must grant we all agree
In our best part's immortal pedigree:
You must by that perspective only view
My service, else 'twill ne'er show worthy you.

You see I court you bluntly, like a friend,
Not like a mistress; my Muse is not penn'd
For smooth and oily flights: and I indent
To use more honesty than compliment.

But I have done; in lieu of all you give,
Receive his thankful tribute, who must live
Your vow'd observer, and devotes a heart
Which will in death seal the bold counterpart.





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