Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, KING ARTHUR, OR THE BRITISH WORTHY: EPILOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

KING ARTHUR, OR THE BRITISH WORTHY: EPILOGUE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I've had today a dozen billet-doux
Last Line: Shall be my favourite gallant to-day.
Subject(s): Dreams; Faith; Marriage; Opera; Nightmares; Belief; Creed; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


I've had to-day a Dozen Billet-Doux
From Fops, and Wits, and Cits, and Bowstreet Beaux:
Some from Whitehal, but from the Temple more:
A Covent-Garden Porter brought me four.
I have not yet read all: But, without feigning,
We Maids can make shrewd Ghesses at your Meaning.
What if, to shew your Styles, I read 'em here?
Me thinks I hear one cry, Oh Lord, forbear:
No, Madam, no; by Heav'n, that's too severe.
Well then, be safe --
But swear henceforwards to renounce all Writing,
And take this Solemn Oath of my inditing, --
As you love Ease and hate Campaigns and Fighting.
Yet, Faith, 'tis just to make some few Examples:
What if I shew'd you one or two for Samples?
Pulls one out.] Heres, one desires my Ladyship to meet
At the kind Couch above in Bridges-Street.
Oh Sharping Knave! That wou'd have you know what,
For a Poor Sneaking Treat of Chocolat.
Pulls out another.] Now, in the Name of Luck, I'll break this open,
20
Because I Dreamt last Night I had a Token;
The Superscription is exceeding pretty,
To the Desire of all the Town and City.
Now, Gallants, you must know, this precious Fop
Is Foreman of a Haberdashers-Shop:
One who devoutly cheats, demure in Carriage,
And courts me to the Holy Bands of Marriage;
But, with a Civil Inuendo too,
My Overplus of Love shall be for you.
Reads.] Madam, I swear your Looks are so Divine,
When I set up, your Face shall be my Sign;
Tho Times are hard -- to show how I Adore you,
Here's my whole Heart, and half a Guinea for you.
But, have a Care of Beaux; They're false, my Honey;
And, which is worse, have not one Rag of Money.
See how Maliciously the Rogue would wrong ye!
But I know better Things of some among ye.
My wisest way will be to keep the Stage,
And trust to the Good Nature of the Age:
And he that likes the Musick and the Play
Shall be my Favourite Gallant to-day.





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