Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NECESSARY OBSERVATIONS: 24TH PRECEPT, by THOMAS RANDOLPH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NECESSARY OBSERVATIONS: 24TH PRECEPT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Desire not thy mean fortunes for to set
Last Line: Like ravenous wolves; 'tis dangerous living near 'em.
Subject(s): Wealth; Riches; Fortunes


Desire not thy mean fortunes for to set
Next to the stately manors of the great.
He will suspect thy labours, and oppress,
Fearing thy greatness makes his wealth the less.
Great ones do love no equals, but must be
Above the terms of all comparity.
Such a rich neighbour is compared best
To the great pike, that eats up all the rest:
Or else like Pharaoh's cow, that in an hour
Will seven of his fattest friends devour.
Or like the sea, whose vastness swallows clean
All other streams, though no increase be seen.
Live by the poor; they do the poor no harm:
So bees thrive best when they together swarm.
Rich men are bears and poor men ought to fear 'em
Like ravenous wolves; 'tis dangerous living near 'em.





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