Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPILOGUE TO A PLAY BEFORE THE KING AND QUEEN ... AT WHITEHALL, by THOMAS CAREW



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPILOGUE TO A PLAY BEFORE THE KING AND QUEEN ... AT WHITEHALL, by                 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.





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