Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, E. OF DORSET: 2. PHRYNE, by ALEXANDER POPE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

E. OF DORSET: 2. PHRYNE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Phryne had talents for mankind
Last Line: Then painted butterflies.
Subject(s): Courtesans; Sackville, Thomas, 1st Earl Of Dorset; Buckhurst, Baron


Phryne had Talents for Mankind,
Open she was, and unconfin'd,
Like some free Port of Trade:
Merchants unloaded here their Freight,
And Agents from each foreign State,
Here first their Entry made.

Her Learning and good Breeding such,
Whether th' Italian or the Dutch,
Spaniard or French came to her;
To all obliging she'd appear:
'Twas Si Signior, 'twas Yaw Mynheer,
'Twas S'il vous plaist, Monsieur.

Obscure by Birth, renown'd by Crimes,
Still changing Names, Religions, Climes,
At length she turns a Bride:
In Di'monds, Pearls, and rich Brocades,
She shines the first of batter'd Jades,
And flutters in her Pride.

So have I known those Insects fair,
(Which curious Germans hold so rare,)
Still vary Shapes and Dyes;
Still gain new Titles with new Forms;
First Grubs obscene, then wriggling Worms,
Then painted Butterflies.





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