Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LA BONNE COMEDIE, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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LA BONNE COMEDIE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: True comedy circum praecordia ludit
Last Line: And it treads in the steps of its master, moliere!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Comedy; Moliere (jean Poquelin) (1622-1673)


'Les "Precieuses Ridicules" allerent aux nues des le premier jour.
Un vieillard s'ecria du milieu du parterre: "Courage,
Moliere! voila de
la bonne comedie!"' (Notice sur Moliere.)

TRUE Comedy circum praecordia ludit --
It warms the heart's cockles. 'Twas thus that he viewed it,
That simple old Critic, who smote on his knee,
And named it no more than he knew it to be.

'True Comedy!' Yes! there is this thing about it,
If it makes the House merry, you never need doubt it:
It lashes the vicious; it laughs at the fool;
And it brings all the prigs and pretenders to school.

To the poor it is kind; to the plain it is gentle;
It is neither too tragic nor too sentimental;
Its thrust, like a rapier's, though cutting, is clean,
And it pricks Affectation all over the scene.

Its rules are the rules ARISTOTLE has taught us;
Its ways have not altered since TERENCE and PLAUTUS;
Its mission is neither to praise nor to blame;
Its weapon is Ridicule; Folly, its game.

'True Comedy!' -- such as our POQUELIN made it!
'True Comedy!' -- such as our COQUELIN played it!
It clears out the cobwebs; it freshens the air;
And it treads in the steps of its Master, MOLIERE!





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