Classic and Contemporary Poetry
(A POEM SENT ME BY SIR WILLIAM BURLASE), by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: To paint thy worth, if rightly I did know it Last Line: To all posterity; I will write burlase. | ||||||||
THE PAINTER TO THE POET To paint thy worth, if rightly I did know it, And were but painter half like thee, a poet; Ben, I would show it: But in this skill, my unskilful pen will tire, Thou, and thy worth, will still be found far higher; And I a liar. Then, what a painter's here? Or what an eater Of great attempts? When as his skill's no greater, And he a cheater? Then what a poet's here? Whom, by confession Of all with me, to paint without digression There's no expression. My Answer THE POET TO THE PAINTER Why? Though I seem of a prodigious waist, I am not so voluminous, and vast, But there are lines, wherewith I might be embraced. 'Tis true, as my womb swells, so my back stoops, And the whole lump grows round, deformed, and droops, But yet the tun at Heidelberg had hoops. You were not tied, by any painter's law To square my circle, I confess; but draw My superficies: that was all you saw. Which if in compass of no art it came To be described by a monogram, With one great blot, you had formed me as I am. But whilst you curious were to have it be An archetype, for all the world to see, You made it a brave piece, but not like me. O, had I now your manner, mastery, might, Your power of handling shadow, air, and sprite, How I would draw, and take hold, and delight. But, you are he can paint; I can but write: A poet hath no more but black and white, Ne knows he flattering colours, or false light. Yet when of friendship I would draw the face, A lettered mind, and a large heart would place To all posterity; I will write Burlase. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 4. HER TRIUMPH by BEN JONSON A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 5. HIS DISCOURSE WITH CUPID by BEN JONSON A FIT OF RHYME AGAINST RHYME [OR, RIME] by BEN JONSON A NYMPH'S PASSION by BEN JONSON A SONNET, TO THE NOBLE LADY, THE LADY MARY WROTH by BEN JONSON AN ODE TO HIMSELF by BEN JONSON ANSWER TO MASTER WITHER'S SONG, 'SHALL I, WASTING IN DESPAIR?' by BEN JONSON EPICOENE; OR, THE SILENT WOMAN: FREEDOM IN DRESS by BEN JONSON EPIGRAM: 118. ON GUT by BEN JONSON |
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