Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TYRANNICK [TYRANNIC] LOVE: PROLOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TYRANNICK [TYRANNIC] LOVE: PROLOGUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Self-love, which, never rightly understood
Last Line: Find but those faults, which they want wit to make.
Subject(s): Plays & Playwrights ; Poetry & Poets; Self-righteousness; Dramatists


SELF-LOVE (which never rightly understood)
Makes Poets still conclude their Plays are good,
And Malice in all Criticks raigns so high,
That for small Errors, they whole Plays decry;
So that to see this fondness, and that spite,
You'd think that none but Mad-men judge or write.
Therefore our Poet, as he thinks not fit
T' impose upon you what he writes for Wit
So hopes that, leaving you your censures free,
You equal Judges of the whole will be:
They judge but half, who only faults will see.
Poets, like Lovers, should be bold and dare,
They spoil their business with an over-care;
And he, who servilely creeps after sence,
Is safe, but ne're will reach an Excellence.
Hence 'tis, our Poet, in his conjuring,
Allow'd his Fancy the full scope and swing.
But when a Tyrant for his Theme he had,
He loos'd the Reins, and bid his Muse run mad;
And though he stumbles in a full career, 20
Yet rashness is a better fault than fear.
He saw his way; but in so swift a pace,
To chuse the ground might be to lose the race.
They then, who of each trip th' advantage take,
Find but those Faults, which they want Wit to make.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net