Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FORTUNE (A FRAGMENT), by JOHN DRYDEN


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FORTUNE (A FRAGMENT), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Fortune, that, with malicious joy
Last Line: And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.


FORTUNE, that, with malicious joy,
Does man her slave oppress,
Proud of her office to destroy,
Is seldom pleased to bless:
Still various and unconstant still,
But with an inclination to be ill,
Promotes, degrades, delights in strife,
And makes a lottery of life.
I can enjoy her while she's kind;
But when she dances in the wind,
And shakes her wings and will not stay,
I puff the prostitute away:
The little or the much she gave, is quietly resigned:
Contant with poverty, my soul I arm;
And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.





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