Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WITT, by JOSEPH BEAUMONT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WITT, by                    
First Line: But who has witt enough to tell / me what it is?
Last Line: Tis best, and I had rather wise than witty be.
Subject(s): Story-telling; Wisdom; Wit & Humor


BUT who has Witt enough to tell
Me what it is?
Thou mayst as well
Hope Proteus's visage to express
As her wilde face, since dubious she
Truly to be herself, any thing els must be.

2

Now old, now young again; now low,
And now as high;
Now corsive, now
Gratious with tickling Lenity;
Proud Spanish now, now smug & sleek
French, portly Roman now, now most delicious Greek.

3

Sometimes her looser garb is Prose,
Sometimes in verse
Straitlac'd she goes;
Now she as low as hell doth curse,
Now swear as high as heavn: her paint
Shews her sometimes a Devil, & few times a Saint.

4

Well is she tutord how to rant,
Drink, drab, & play
And fear no want
Though more then all she casts away.
Me thinks tis worth the while to see
Whether she would not prove too chargable for me.

5

Why she may easly spend a Man
His soule & all.
Sure yf I can
I'l save that charge: Let the World call
Me as they list: whats that to me?
Tis best, and I had rather Wise than Witty be.





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