Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPILOGUE TO A PLAY BEFORE THE KING AND QUEEN ... AT WHITEHALL, by THOMAS CAREW Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Hunger is sharp, the sated stomach dull Last Line: He should do penance, when the sin was his. Subject(s): Plays & Playwrights | ||||||||
HUNGER is sharp, the sated stomach dull; Feeding delights 'twixt emptiness and full: The pleasure lies not in the end, but streams That flow betwixt two opposite extremes. So doth the flux from hot to cold combine An equal temper; such is noble wine, 'Twixt fulsome must and vinegar too tart. Pleasure 's the scratching betwixt itch and smart, It is a shifting Tartar, that still flies From place to place: if it stand still, it dies. After much rest, labour delights; when pain Succeeds long travail, rest grows sweet again. Pain is the base on which his nimble feet Move in continual change from sour to sweet. This the contriver of your sports to-night Hath well observ'd, and so, to fix delight In a perpetual circle, hath appli'd The choicest objects that care could provide To every sense. Only himself hath felt The load of this great honour, and doth melt All into humble thanks, and at your feet Of both your Majesties prostrates the sweet Perfume of grateful service, which he swears He will extend to such a length of years As fits not us to tell, but doth belong To a far abler pen and nobler tongue. Our task ends here: if we have hit the laws Of true delight, his glad heart joys: yet, 'cause You cannot to succeeding pleasures climb, Till you grow weary of the instant time, He was content this last piece should grow sour Only to sweeten the ensuing hour. But if the cook, musician, player, poet, Painter, and all, have fail'd, he 'll make them know it, That have abus'd him: yet must grieve at this, He should do penance, when the sin was his. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#20): 1. SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#20): 2. SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL YOUR SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL TO AN ARTIST, TO TAKE HEART by LOUISE BOGAN THE SAVING WAY by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE FOX WHO WATCHED FOR THE MIDNIGHT SUN by NORMAN DUBIE YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE SAY by JAMES GALVIN A DEPOSITION FROM LOVE by THOMAS CAREW A PASTORAL DIALOGUE: SHEPHERD, NYMPH, CHORUS by THOMAS CAREW |
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