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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO FINE LADY WOULD-BE by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: FINE MADAM WOULD-BE, WHEREFORE SHOULD YOU FEAR
Last Line: OF THE NOT BORN, YET BURIED, HERE'S THE TOMB.
Subject(s): DUPLICITY; INFERTILITY; PREGNANCY; DECEIT;

Fine Madam Would-Be, wherefore should you fear,
That love to make so well, a child to bear?
The world reputes you barren; but I know
Your 'pothecary, and his drug says no.
Is it the pain affrights? That's soon forgot.
Or your complexion's loss? You have a pot
That can restore that. Will it hurt your feature?
To make amends, you're thought a wholesome creature.
What should the cause be? Oh, you live at court,
And there's both loss of time and loss of sport
In a great belly. Write, then, on thy womb,
Of the not born, yet buried, here's the tomb.



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