Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO BEN JONSON, 6 JAN. 1603, by JOHN ROE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO BEN JONSON, 6 JAN. 1603, by                    
First Line: The state and mens affaires are the best playes
Last Line: The bruised reed, nor quencheth smoaking flaxe.
Subject(s): Jonson, Ben (1572-1637); Poetry & Poets


The State and mens affaires are the best playes
Next yours; 'Tis nor more nor lesse than due praise.
Write, but touch not the much descending race
Of Lords houses, so settled in worths place,
As but themselves none thinke them usurpers.
It is no fault in thee to suffer theirs.
If the Queene Masque, or King a hunting goe,
Though all the court follow, Let them. We know
Like them in goodnesse that Court ne'r will be,
For that were vertue, and not flatterie.
Forget we were thrust out; It is but thus,
God threatens Kings, Kings Lords, as Lords doe us.
Judge of strangers, Trust and believe your friend,
And so me; And when I true friendship end,
With guilty conscience let me be worse stonge,
Then with Pophams sentence theeves, or Cookes tongue
Traitors are. Friends are our selves. This I thee tell
As to my friend, and to my selfe as Counsell;
Let for a while the times unthrifty rout
Contemne learning, and all your studies flout.
Let them scorne Hell, they will a Sergeant feare,
More then wee that; ere long God may forbeare,
But Creditors will not. Let them increase
In riot and excesse as their meanes cease;
Let them scorne him that made them, and still shun
His Grace, but love the whore who hath undone
Them and their soules. But; that they that allow
But one God, should have religions enow
For the Queens Masque, and their husbands, far more
Then all the Gentiles knew, or Atlas bore!
Well, let all passe, and trust him who nor cracks
The bruised Reed, nor quencheth smoaking flaxe.





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