Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AS CONCERNING MAN, by JOHN WILMOT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AS CONCERNING MAN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: To what intent or purpose was man made
Last Line: Than thus to be perplex'd: god save the queen.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Mankind; Human Race


To what intent or purpose was Man made,
Who is by Birth to misery betray'd?
Man in his tedious course of life runs through
More Plagues that all the Land of Egypt knew.
Doctors, Divines, grave Disputations, Puns,
Ill looking Citizens, and scurvy Duns;
Insipid Squires, fat Bishops, Deans and Chapters,
Enthusiasts, Prophecies, new Rants and Raptures;
Pox, Gout, Catarrhs, old Sores, Cramps, Rheums and Aches;
Half witted Lords, double chinn'd Bawds with Patches;
Illiterate Courtiers, Chancery Suits for Life,
A teazing Whore, and a more tedious Wife;
Raw Inns of Court men, empty Fops, Buffoons,
Bullies, robust, round Aldermen, and Clowns;
Gown-men which argue, and discuss, and prate
And vent dull Notions of a future State;
Sure of another World, yet do not know
Whether they shall be sav'd, or damn'd, or how.
'Twere better then that Man had never been,
Than thus to be perplex'd: God Save the Queen.





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