Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO SIR THOMAS OVERBURY, by BEN JONSON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO SIR THOMAS OVERBURY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: So phoebus makes me worthy of his bays
Last Line: Who in such ambition can but follow thee.
Subject(s): Overbury, Sir Thomas (1581-1613)


So Phoebus makes me worthy of his bays,
As but to speak thee, Overbury, is praise:
So, where thou liv'st, thou mak'st life understood!
Where, what makes others great, doth keep thee good!
I think, the Fate of court thy coming craved,
That the wit there, and manners might be saved:
For since, what ignorance, what pride is fled!
And letters, and humanity in the stead!
Repent thee not of thy fair precedent,
Could make such men, and such a place repent:
Nor may any fear, to lose of their degree,
Who in such ambition can but follow thee.





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