Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NECESSARY OBSERVATIONS: 36TH PRECEPT, by THOMAS RANDOLPH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NECESSARY OBSERVATIONS: 36TH PRECEPT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let not thy impotent lust so powerful be
Last Line: Starves in his grave, being wretched when he's dead.
Subject(s): Lust; Moderation


Let not thy impotent lust so powerful be
Over thy reason, soul, and liberty,
As to enforce thee to a married life,
Ere thou art able to maintain a wife.
Thou canst not feed upon her lips and face,
She cannot clothe thee with a poor embrace.
Myself being yet alone, and but one still,
With patience could endure the worst of ill.
When fortune frowns, one to the wars may go
To fight against his foes and fortunes too.
But (O) the grief were treble for to see
Thy wretched bride half-pin'd with poverty:
To see thy infants make their dumb complaint,
And thou not able to relieve their want!
The poorest beggar, when he's dead and gone,
Is rich as he that sits upon the throne.
But he that, having no estate, is wed,
Starves in his grave, being wretched when he's dead.





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