Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WOMEN MEN'S SHADOWS by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: FOLLOW A SHADOW, IT STILL FLIES YOU
Last Line: STYLED BUT THE SHADOWS OF US MEN!
Subject(s): COURTSHIP; SHADOWS; WOMEN;
FOLLOW a shadow, it still flies you;
Seem to fly it, it will pursue:
So court a mistress, she denies you;
Let her alone, she will court you.
Say are not women truly, then,
Styled but the shadows of us men?

At morn and even, shades are longest;
At noon they are or short or none:
So men at weakest, they are strongest,
But grant us perfect, they're not known.
Say are not women truly, then,
Styled but the shadows of us men!



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