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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 1: SATIRE 4 by JOSEPH HALL

First Line: TOO POPULAR IS TRAGICK POESIE
Last Line: OR LET THEIR VNDESERUING TEMPLES BARED BEE.
Subject(s): MUSES; POETRY & POETS; TRAGEDY;

Too popular is @3Tragick Poesie,@1
Strayning his tip-toes for a farthing fee,
And doth besides on @3Rimelesse@1 numbers tread,
Vnbid @3Iambicks@1 flow from carelesse head.
Some brauer braine in high @3Heroick@1 rimes
Compileth worme eate stories of olde times:
And he like some imperious @3Maronist,@1
Coniures the @3Muses@1 that they him assist.
Then striues he to bumbast his feeble lines
With farre-fetcht phraise:
And maketh vp his hard-betaken tale,
With strange enchantments, fetcht from darksom vale
Of some @3Melissa,@1 that by Magicke dome
To @3Tuscan@1 soyle transporteth @3Merlins tombe:
Painters@1 and @3poets@1 hold your ancient right:
Write what you wil, and write not what you might:
Their limits be their @3List,@1 their reason will.
But if some painter in presuming skill
Should paint the stars in center of the earth,
Could ye forbeare some smiles, & taunting mirth?
But let no rebell @3Satyre@1 dare traduce
Th'eternall @3Legends@1 of thy @3Faery Muse,@1
Renowmed @3Spencer:@1 whome no earthly wight
Dares once to emulate, much lesse dares despight.
@3Salust@1 of @3France@1 and @3Tuscan Ariost,@1
Yeeld vp the @3Lawrell girlond@1 ye haue lost:
And let all others willow weare with mee,
Or let their vndeseruing @3Temples@1 bared bee.



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