Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE COMMENTARIES OF MESSIRE BLAIZE DE MONLUC; TO CHARLES COTTON, by THOMAS FLATMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE COMMENTARIES OF MESSIRE BLAIZE DE MONLUC; TO CHARLES COTTON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He that would aptly write of warlike men
Last Line: Obliges all the world, can be oblig'd by me.
Subject(s): Cotton, Charles (1630-1687); Monluc, Blaise De Lasseran-massencome; Translating & Interpreting


HE that would aptly write of warlike men,
Should make his ink of blood, a sword his pen;
At least he must their memories abuse,
Who writes with less than Maro's mighty Muse:
All, Sir, that I could say of this great theme
(The brave Montluc) would lessen his esteem;
Whose laurels too much native verdure have
To need the praises vulgar chaplets crave:
His own bold hand, what it durst write, durst do,
Grappled with enemies, and oblivion too;
Hew'd his own monument, and grav'd thereon
Its deep and durable inscription.
To you, Sir, whom the valiant Author owes
His second life, and conquest o'er his foes --
Ill-natur'd foes, Time and Detraction, --
What is a stranger's contribution!
Who has not such a share of vanity,
To dream that one, who with such industry
Obliges all the world, can be oblig'd by me.





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