Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AS CONCERNING MAN, by JOHN WILMOT 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOW MUCH EARTH by PHILIP LEVINE THE SHEEP IN THE RUINS by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH THE CONQUERORS by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY THE MARMOZET by HILAIRE BELLOC MEN, WOMEN, AND EARTH by ROBERT BLY BROTHERS: 3. AS FOR MYSELF by LUCILLE CLIFTON |
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