Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SATIRICAL SHRUB, by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A woman's friendship! God whom I trust in Last Line: The devil; and be the damning of us all. | ||||||||
A woman's friendship! God whom I trust in, Forgive me this one foolish deadly sin; Amongst my many other, that I may No more, I am sorry for so fond cause, say At fifty years, almost, to value it, That ne'er was known to last above a fit! Or have the least of good, but what it must Put on for fashion, and take up on trust: Knew I all this afore? Had I perceived, That their whole life was wickedness, though weaved Of many colours; outward fresh from spots, But their whole inside full of ends, and knots? Knew I, that all their dialogues, and discourse, Were such as I will now relate, or worse? . . . Here, something is wanting. . . Knew I this woman? Yes; and you do see, How penitent I am, or I should be! Do not you ask to know her; she is worse Than all ingredients made into one curse, And that poured out upon mankind can be! Think but the sin of all her sex, 'tis she! I could forgive her being proud! A whore! Perjured! And painted! If she were no more -- But she is such, as she might, yet, forestall The devil; and be the damning of us all. | 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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