Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPISTLE ANSWERING TO ONE THAT ASKED TO BE SEALED OF THE TRIBE OF BEN, by BEN JONSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPISTLE ANSWERING TO ONE THAT ASKED TO BE SEALED OF THE TRIBE OF BEN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Men that are safe, and sure, in all they do
Last Line: Sir, you are sealed of the tribe of ben.
Variant Title(s): An Epistle Answering To One That Asked To Be Sealed Of Ben


Men that are safe, and sure, in all they doe,
Care not what trials they are put unto;
They meet the fire, the Test, as Martyrs would:
And though Opinion stampe them not, are gold.
I could say more of such, but that I flie
To speake my selfe out too ambitiously,
And shewing so weake an Act to vulgar eyes,
Put conscience and my right to compromise.
Let those that meerely talke, and never thinke,
That live in the wild Anarchie of Drinke
Subject to quarrell only; or else such
As make it their proficiencie, how much
They'ave glutted in, and letcher'd out that weeke,
That never yet did friend, or friendship seeke
But for a Sealing: let these men protest.
Or th'other on their borders, that will jest
On all Soules that are absent; even the dead
Like flies, or wormes, with mans corrupt parts fed;
That to speake well, thinke it above all sinne,
Of any Companie but that they are in,
Call every night to Supper in these fitts,
And are receiv'd for the Covey of Witts;
That censure all the Towne, and all th'affaires,
And know whose ignorance is more then theirs;
Let these men have their wayes, and take their times
To vent their Libels, and to issue rimes,
I have no portion in them, nor their deale
Of newes they get, to strew out the long meale.
I studie other friendships, and more one,
Then these can ever be; or else wish none.
What is't to me whether the French Designe
Be, or be not, to get the V al-telline?
Or the States Ships sent forth belike to meet
Some hopes of Spaine in their West-Indian Fleet?
Whether the Dispensation yet be sent,
Or that the Match from Spaine was ever meant?
I wish all well, and pray high heaven conspire
My Princes safetie, and my Kings desire.
But if for honour, we must draw the Sword,
And force back that, which will not be restor'd,
I have a body, yet, that spirit drawes
To live, or fall, a Carkasse in the cause.
So farre without inquirie what the States,
Brunsfield, and Mansfield doe this yeare, my fates
Shall carry me at Call; and I'le be well,
Though I doe neither heare these newes, nor tell
Of Spaine or France; or were nor prick'd down one
Of the late Mysterie of reception;
Although my Fame, to his, not under-heares
That guides the Motions, and directs the beares.
But that's a blow, by which in time I may
Lose all my credit with my Christmas Clay,
And animated Porc'lane of the Court;
I, and for this neglect, the courser sort
Of earthen Jarres, there may molest me too.
Well, with mine owne fraile Pitcher, what to doe
I have decreed; keepe it from waves, and presse;
Lest it be justled, crack'd made nought, or lesse:
Live to that point I will; for which I am man,
And dwell as in my Center, as I can:
Still looking too, and ever loving heaven;
With reverence using all the gifts thence given.
'Mongst which, if I have any friendships sent
Such as are square, wel-tagde, and permanent,
Not built with Canvasse, paper, and false lights
As are the Glorious Scenes, at the great sights;
And that there be no fev'ry heats, nor colds,
Oylie Expansions, or shrunke durtie folds,
But all so cleare, and led by reasons flame,
As but to stumble in her sight were shame;
These I will honour, love, embrace, and serve:
And free it from all question to preserve.
So short you read my Character, and theirs
I would call mine, to which not many Staires
Are asked to climbe. First give me faith, who know
My selfe a little. I will take you so,
As you have writ your selfe. Now stand, and then,
Sir, you are Sealed of the Tribe of Ben.






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