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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO M. LEONARD WILLAN HIS PECULIAR FRIEND by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: I WILL BE SHORT, AND HAVING QUICKLY HURL'D
Last Line: POSTERITY WILL PAY THEE WHAT I OWE.

I will be short, and having quickly hurl'd
This line about, live Thou throughout the world;
Who art a man for all Sceanes; unto whom
(What's hard to others) nothing's troublesome.
Can'st write the Comick, Tragick straine, and fall
From these to penne the pleasing Pastorall:
Who fli'st at all heights: Prose and Verse run'st through
Find'st here a fault, and mend'st the trespasse too:
For which I might extoll thee, but speake lesse,
Because thy selfe art comming to the Presse:
And then sho'd I in praising thee be slow,
Posterity will pay thee what I owe.



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