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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET TO MASTER GABRIELL HARVEY, DOCTOR OF LAWES by EDMUND SPENSER

Poet Analysis

First Line: HARVEY, THE HAPPY ABOVE HAPPIEST MEN
Last Line: YOUR DEVOTED FRIEND, DURING LIFE,
Subject(s): HARVEY, GABRIEL (1545-1630);
To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend,
Master Gabriell Harvey, Doctor of the Lawes.

HARVEY, the happy above happiest men
I read: that, sitting like a looker-on
Of this worldes stage, doest note with critique pen
The sharpe dislikes of each condition:
And, as one carelesse of suspition,
Ne fawnest for the favour of the great;
Ne fearest foolish reprehension
Of faulty men, which daunger to thee threat;
But freely doest of what thee list entreat,
Like a great lord of peerelesse liberty;
Lifting the good up to high Honours seat,
And the evill damning evermore to dy.
For life and death is in thy doomeful writing:
So thy renowme lives ever by endighting.
Dublin, this xviij. of July, 15'6.
Your devoted friend, during life,



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