Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UPON M. BEN. JONSON - EPIGRAM, by ROBERT HERRICK


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON M. BEN. JONSON - EPIGRAM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: After the rare arch-poet jonson died [dy'd]
Last Line: Her resurrection ha's again with thee.
Subject(s): Jonson, Ben (1572-1637); Poetry & Poets


After the rare Arch-Poet JOHNSON dy'd,
The Sock grew loathsome, and the Buskins pride,
Together with the Stages glory stood
Each like a poore and pitied widowhood.
The Cirque prophan'd was; and all postures rackt:
For men did strut, and stride, and stare, not act
Then temper flew from words; and men did squeake,
Looke red, and blow, and bluster, but not speake:
No Holy-Rage, or frantick-fires did stirre,
Or flash about the spacious Theater.
No clap of hands, or shout, or praises-proofe
Did crack the Play-house sides, or cleave her roofe.
Artlesse the Sceane was; and that monstrous sin
Of deep and arrant ignorance came in;
Such ignorance as theirs was, who once hist
At thy unequal'd Play, the Alchymist:
Oh fie upon 'em! Lastly too, all witt
In utter darkenes did, and still will sit
Sleeping the lucklesse Age out, till that she
Her Resurrection ha's again with Thee.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net