Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FLIES, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FLIES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Say, sire of insects, mighty sol
Last Line: Both raised, but by their party's favour.
Subject(s): Devil; Flies; Satan; Mephistopheles; Lucifer; Beelzebub


SAY, sire of insects, mighty Sol
(A Fly upon the chariot pole
Cries out), what Blue-bottle alive
Did ever with such fury drive?
Tell Beelzebub, great father, tell,
(Says t'other, perched upon the wheel)
Did ever any mortal Fly
Raise such a cloud of dust as I!
My judgment turned the whole debate:
My valour saved the sinking state.
So talk two idle buzzing things;
Toss up their heads, and stretch their wings.
But let the truth to light be brought:
This neither spoke, nor t'other fought;
No merit in their own behaviour:
Both raised, but by their party's favour.





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