Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR'S TO A MASQUE AT WHITTON, by JOHN SUCKLING Poet's Biography First Line: Expect not here a curious river fine Last Line: And, if a laugh be too much, lend a smile. | ||||||||
EXPECT not here a curious river fine: Our wits are short of that---alas the time! The neat refined language of the Court We know not; if we did, our country sport Must not be too ambitious; 'tis for kings, Not for their subjects, to have such rare things. Besides, though, I confess, Parnassus hardly, Yet Helicon this summer-time is dry: Our wits were at an ebb, or very low, And, to say troth, I think they cannot flow. But yet a gracious influence from you May alter nature in our brow-sick crew. Have patience then, we pray, and sit a while, And, if a laugh be too much, lend a smile. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SUPPLEMENT OF AN IMPERFECT COPY OF VERSES OF MR. WILL. SHAKESPEARE'S by JOHN SUCKLING UPON MY LADY CARLISLE'S WALKING IN HAMPTON COURT GARDEN by JOHN SUCKLING A PEDLAR OF SMALL-WARES by JOHN SUCKLING |
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