Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO HIS NOBLE FRIEND, MR. RICHARD LOVELACE, UPON HIS POEMS, by ANDREW MARVELL Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Our times are much degenerate from those Last Line: His booke in them finds judgement, with you love. Subject(s): Lovelace, Richard (1618-1657) | ||||||||
Sir, Our times are much degenerate from those Which your sweet Muse, which your fair Fortune chose, And as complexions alter with the Climes, Our wits have drawne th' infections of our times. That candid Age no other way could tell To be ingenious, but by speaking well. Who best could prayse, had then the greatest prayse, 'Twas more esteemed to give, than weare the Bayes: Modest ambition studied only then, To honor not her selfe, but worthy men. These vertues now are banisht out of Towne, Our Civill Wars have lost the Civicke crowne. He highest builds, who with most Art destroys, And against others Fame his owne employs. I see the envious Caterpillar sit On the faire blossome of each growing wit. The Ayre's already tainted with the swarms Of Insects which against you rise in arms. Word-peckers, Paper-rats, Book-scorpions, Of wit corrupted, the unfashion'd Sons. The barbed Censurers begin to looke Like the grim consistory on thy Booke: And on each line cast a reforming eye, Severer than the young Presbytery. Till when in vaine they have thee all perus'd, You shall for being faultless be accus'd. Some reading your Lucasta, will alledge You wrong'd in her the Houses Priviledge. Some that you under sequestration are, Because you write when going to the Warre, And on the book prohibits, because Kent Their first Petition by the Authour sent. But when the beauteous Ladies came to know That their deare Lovelace was endanger'c so: Lovelace that thaw'd the most congealed brest, He who lov'd best and them defended best. Whose hand so rudely grasps the steely brand, Whose hand so gently melts the Ladies hand. They all in mutiny though yet undrest Sally'd, and would in his defence contest. And on the loveliest that was yet e're seen, Thinking that I too of the rout had been. Mine eyes invaded with a female spight, (She knew what pain 'twould be to lose that sight.) O no, mistake not, I reply'd, for I In your defence, or in his cause would dy. But he secure of glory and of time Above their envy or mine aid doth clime. Him, valiant men, and fairest Nymphs approve, His Booke in them finds Judgement, with you Love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE MEMORY OF MY WORTHY FRIEND, COLONEL RICHARD LOVELACE by CHARLES COTTON A FOOTNOTE TO A FAMOUS LYRIC by LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY MOTTO RICHARD LOVELACE, LUCASTA. POSTHUME POEMS by MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS TO MY MUSE (WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENTS TO THE SHADE OF COLONEL LOVELACE) by AUSTIN PHILIPS TO A STRENUOUS CRITIC by WILLIAM WATSON WHERE BEAUTY LINGERS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS LUCASTA REMAINS UNCONVINCED by KATHERINE MCALPINE LUCASTA REPLIES TO RICHARD LOVELACE by MARGARET ROGERS CAVALIER LYRIC by JAMES SIMMONS A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE SOUL AND BODY by ANDREW MARVELL A DROP OF DEW by ANDREW MARVELL AN HORATIAN ODE UPON CROMWELL'S RETURN FROM IRELAND by ANDREW MARVELL |
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