Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE KIND KEEPER, OR LIMBERHAM: PROLOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: True wit has seen its best days long ago Last Line: That not one locust may be left behind! Subject(s): Actors & Actresses; Critics & Criticism; Plays & Playwrights ; Actresses; Dramatists | ||||||||
TRUE Wit has seen its best Days long ago; It ne'er look'd up since we were dipt in Show, When sense in dogrel Rhymes and Clouds was lost, And Dulness flourish'd at the Actors' Cost. Nor stopt it here; when Tragedy was done, Satire and Humour the same Fate have run, And Comedy is sunk to Trick and Pun. Now our machining Lumber will not sell, And you no longer care for Heav'n or Hell; What Stuff will please you next, the Lord can tell. Let them, who the Rebellion first began To Wit, restore the Monarch if they can; Our Author dares not be the first bold Man. He, like the prudent Citizen, takes care To keep for better Marts his staple Ware; His Toys are good enough for Sturbridge Fair. Tricks were the Fashion; if it now be spent, 'Tis time enough at Easter to invent; No man will make up a new Suit for Lent. If now and then he takes a small Pretence, 20 To forage for a little Wit and Sense, Pray pardon him, he meant you no Offence, Next summer, Nostradamus tells, they say, That all the Criticks shall be shipp'd away. And not enow be left to damn a Play. To every Sail beside, good Heav'n, be kind; But drive away that Swarm with such a Wind That not one Locust may be left behind! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL 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): 1. SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#20): 2. SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#20): 2. SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL YOUR SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL YOUR SHAKESPEARE by MARVIN BELL A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY by JOHN DRYDEN A SONG TO A FAIR YOUNG LADY GOING OUT OF TOWN IN THE SPRING by JOHN DRYDEN |
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