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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPILOGUE TO 'CIRCE', by JOHN WILMOT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Some few, from wit, have this true maxim got
Last Line: To stand or fall with beauty on his side.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Criticism & Critics
First Line: Some few, from wit, have this true maxim got
Last Line: To stand or fall with beauty on his side.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Criticism & Critics
Some few, from wit, have this true maxim got,
That 'tis still better to be pleased than not,
And therefore never their own torment plot;
While the malicious critics still agree
To loathe each play they come, and pay, to see.
The first know 'tis a meaner part of sense
To find a fault than taste an excellence;
Therefore they praise and strive to like, while these
Are dully vain of being hard to please.
Poets and women have an equal right
To hate the dull, who, dead to all delight,
Feel pain alone, and have no joy but spite.
'Twas impotence did first this vice begin:
Fools censure wit as old men rail of sin,
Who envy pleasure which they cannot taste,
And, good for nothing, would be wise at last.
Since therefore to the women it appears
That all these enemies of wit are theirs,
Our poet the dull herd no longer fears.
Whate'er his fate may prove, 'twill be his pride
To stand or fall with beauty on his side.
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