Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE SAME, by BEN JONSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE SAME, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When we do give, alphonso, to the light
Last Line: For fame, with breath soon kindled, soon blown out.
Subject(s): Ferrabosco, Alphonso (1575-1628); Music & Musicians


When we do give, Alphonso, to the light,
A work of ours, we part with our own right;
For, then, all mouths will judge, and their own way:
The learned have no more privilege, than the lay.
And though we could all men, all censures hear,
We ought not give them taste, we had an ear.
For, if the humorous world will talk at large,
They should be fools, for me, at their own charge.
Say, this, or that man they to thee prefer;
Even those for whom they do this, know they err:
And would (being asked the truth) ashamed say,
They were not to be named on the same day.
Then stand unto thyself, not seek without
For fame, with breath soon kindled, soon blown out.





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