Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A LADY WITH A CHILD, THAT ASK'D AN OLD SHIRT, by RICHARD LOVELACE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A LADY WITH A CHILD, THAT ASK'D AN OLD SHIRT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: And why an honour'd ragged shirt, that shows
Last Line: Pardon my boldness, madam: here's the clout.


AND why an honour'd ragged shirt, that shows,
Like tatter'd ensigns, all its body's blows?
Should it be swathed in a vest so dire,
It were enough to set the child on fire;
Dishevell'd queens should strip them of their hair,
And in it mantle the new rising heir:
Nor do I know aught worth to wrap it in,
Except my parchment upper-coat of skin:
And then expect no end of its chaste tears,
That first was roll'd in down, now furs of bears.
But since to ladies 't hath a custom been
Linen to send, that travail and lie in;
To the nine sempstresses, my former friends,
I su'd, but they had naught but shreds and ends.
At last, the jolli'st of the three times three
Rent th' apron from her smock, and gave it me;
'Twas soft and gentle, subtly spun, no doubt:
Pardon my boldness, madam: here's the clout.





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