Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EPIGRAM TO THE COUNCILLOR THAT PLEADED AND CARRIED THE CAUSE, by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: That I, hereafter, do not think the bar Last Line: Alone, but all thy rank a reverend name. | ||||||||
That I, hereafter, do not think the bar, The seat made of a more than civil war; Or the great hall at Westminster, the field Where mutual frauds are fought, and no side yield; That, henceforth, I believe nor books, nor men, Who 'gainst the law, weave calumnies, my Benn; But when I read or hear the names so rife Of hirelings, wranglers, stitchers-to of strife, Hook-handed harpies, gowned vultures, put Upon the reverend pleaders; do now shut All mouths, that dare entitle them (from hence) To the wolf's study, or dog's eloquence; Thou art my cause: whose manners since I knew, Have made me to conceive a lawyer new. So dost thou study matter, men, and times, Mak'st it religion to grow rich by crimes! Dar'st not abuse thy wisdom, in the laws, Or skill to carry out an evil cause! But first dost vex, and search it! If not sound, Thou prov'st the gentler ways, to cleanse the wound, And make the scar fair; if that will not be, Thou hast the brave scorn, to put back the fee! But in a business, that will bide the touch, What use, what strength of reason! And how much Of books, of precedents, hast thou at hand? As if the general store thou didst command Of argument, still drawing forth the best, And not being borrowed by thee, but possessed. So com'st thou like a chief into the court Armed at all pieces, as to keep a fort Against a multitude; and (with thy stile So brightly brandished) wound'st, defend'st! The while Thy adversaries fall, as not a word They had, but were a reed unto thy sword. Then com'st thou off with victory and palm, Thy hearer's nectar, and thy client's balm, The court's just honour, and thy judge's love. And (which doth all achievements get above) Thy sincere practice, breeds not thee a fame Alone, but all thy rank a reverend name. | 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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