Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPISTLE TO A FRIEND, by BEN JONSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: They are not, sir, worst owers, that do pay Last Line: And I will bring a crop, if not the best. | ||||||||
They are not, sir, worst owers, that do pay Debts when they can: good men may break their day, And yet the noble nature never grudge; 'Tis then a crime, when the usurer is judge, And he is not in friendship. Nothing there Is done for gain: if't be 'tis not sincere. Nor should I at this time protested be, But that some greater names have broke with me, And their words too; where I but break my band. I add that 'but' because I understand That as the lesser breach: for he that takes Simply my band, his trust in me forsakes, And looks unto the forfeit. If you be Now so much friend, as you would trust in me, Venter a longer time, and willingly: All is not barren land, doth fallow lie. Some grounds are made the richer, for the rest; And I will bring a crop, if not the best. | 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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