Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 3: SATIRE: 4, by JOSEPH HALL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 3: SATIRE: 4, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Were yesterday polemons natales kept
Last Line: With satten sleeues hath grac'd his sackcloth sute.
Subject(s): Flowers; Memory; Names; Pride; Self-esteem; Self-respect


VVere yesterday Polemons Natales kept,
That so his threshold is all freshly stept
With new-shed bloud? could hee not sacrifice
Some sorry morkin that vnbidden dies:
Or meager heifer, or some rotten Ewe:
But he must needes his Posts with blood embrew,
And on his way-doore fixe the horned head,
With flowers, and with rib-bands garnished?
Now shall the passenger deeme the man deuout.
What boots it be so, but the world must know't?
O the fond boasting of vainglorious men:
Does he the best, that may the best be seene?
Who euer giues a payre of veluet shoes,
To th' holy Rood: or liberally alowes:
But a new rope, to ring the Couure-few Bell,
But he desires that his great deed may dwell,
Or grauen in the Chancel-window-glasse,
Or in his lasting tombe of plated brasse,
For he that doth so few deseruing deeds,
T'were sure his best sue for such larger meeds.
Who would inglorious liue, inglorious die,
And might eternize his names memory?
And he that cannot brag of greater store,
Must make his somewhat much, and little more.
Nor can good Myson weare on his left hond,
A signet ring of Bristol-diamond:
But he must cut his gloue, to shew his pride,
That his trim Iewell might be better spide:
And that men mought some Burgesse him repute,
With Satten sleeues hath grac'd his sackcloth sute.





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