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


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPIGRAM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: He whose advent'rous keel ploughs the rough seas
Last Line: That value wit and arts below their crimes.
Subject(s): Courtship


HE whose advent'rous keel ploughs the rough seas,
Takes interest of fate for wealth's increase.
He that in battle traffics, and pitch'd fields,
Reaps with his sword rich harvests, which war yields.
Base parasites repose their drunken heads,
Laden with sleep and wine, on Tyrian beds;
And he that melts in Lust's adult'rous fire,
Gets both reward and pleasure for his hire.
But Learning only, midst this wanton heat,
Hath (save itself) nothing to wear or eat;
Faintly exclaiming on the looser Times,
That value Wit and Arts below their crimes.





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