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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


RONDEAU (2) by CHARLES COTTON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THOU FOOL! IF MADNESS BE SO RIFE
Last Line: THOU FOOL!

THOU Fool! if madness be so rife,
That, spite of wit, thou'lt have a wife,
I'll tell thee what thou must expect,
After the Honey-Moon neglect,
All the sad days of thy whole life:

To that a world of woe and strife,
Which is of marriage the effect,
And thou thy woe's own architect,
Thou Fool!

Thou'lt nothing find but disrespect,
Ill words i' th' scolding dialect,
For she'll all tabor be, or fife;
Then prythee go and whet thy knife,
And from this Fate thyself protect,
Thou Fool!




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