ON you th' affections of your father's friends, With his inheritance, by right descends: But you your graceful youth so wisely guide That his you hold, and purchase much beside. Love is the fruit of Virtue; for whose sake Men only liking each to other take. If sparks of virtue shined not in you then So well, how could you win the hearts of men? And since that honour and well-suited praise Is Virtue's golden spur, let me now raise Unto an act mature your tender age; This half commending to your patronage, Which from your noble father's, but one side, Ordained to do you honour, doth divide. And so my love betwixt you both I part, On each side placing you as near my heart! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RIVER by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE BARON'S LAST BANQUET by ALBERT GORTON GREENE LITTLE JERRY, THE MILLER by JOHN GODFREY SAXE SONNET: 17 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 74 by ALFRED TENNYSON I HEARD YOUR SOLEMN-SWEET PIPES by WALT WHITMAN THE HEAVENS ARE OUR RIDDLE by HERBERT BATES |