Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A PROLOGUE TO 'THE SCHOLARS', A COMEDY PRESENTED AT THE WHITEFRIARS, by RICHARD LOVELACE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A gentleman, to give us somewhat new Last Line: They reach him that themselves must envy at. | ||||||||
A GENTLEMAN, to give us somewhat new, Hath brought up Oxford with him to show you--- Pray, be not frighted, though the scene and gown's The University's, the wit's the Town's; The lines each honest Englishman may speak, Yet not mistake his mother-tongue for Greek, For still 'twas part of his vow'd liturgy: From learned comedies deliver me! Wishing all those that lov'd 'em here asleep, Promising Scholars, but no scholarship. You'd smile to see how he does vex and shake, Speaks naught; but if the Prologue does but take, Or the first act were past the pikes once, then--- Then hopes and joys, then frowns and fears agen, Then blushes like a virgin now to be Robb'd of his comical virginity In presence of you all---in short, you'd say More hopes of mirth are in his looks than play. These fears are for the noble and the wise; But if 'mongst you there are such foul dead eyes As can damn unarraign'd, call law their pow'rs, Judging it sin enough that it is ours, And with the house shift their decreed desires, Fair still to th' black, Black-still to the White-friars, He does protest he will sit down and weep Castles and pyramids--- ---No, he will on, Proud to be rais'd by such destruction So far from quarr'lling with himself and wit, That he will thank them for the benefit, Since, finding nothing worthy of their hate, They reach him that themselves must envy at. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LA BELLA BONA ROBA by RICHARD LOVELACE THE GRASSHOPPER; TO MY NOBLE FRIEND MR. CHARLES COTTON by RICHARD LOVELACE THE SCRUTINY; SONG by RICHARD LOVELACE TO ALTHEA, FROM PRISON by RICHARD LOVELACE TO AMARANTHA, THAT SHE WOULD DISHEVEL HER HAIR by RICHARD LOVELACE TO LUCASTA, [ON] GOING BEYOND THE SEAS by RICHARD LOVELACE TO LUCASTA, [ON] GOING TO THE WARS by RICHARD LOVELACE A BLACK PATCH ON LUCASTA'S FACE (1) by RICHARD LOVELACE A BLACK PATCH ON LUCASTA'S FACE (2) by RICHARD LOVELACE |
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