Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LITTLE SHRUB GROWING BY by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: ASK NOT TO KNOW THIS MAN. IF FAME SHOULD SPEAK
Last Line: AND SO I LEAVE TO STIR HIM, LEST HE STINK.
Subject(s): HATE;
Ask not to know this man. If fame should speak
His name in any metal, it would break.
Two letters were enough the plague to tear
Out of his grave, and poison every ear.
A parcel of court-dirt, a heap, and mass
Of all vice hurled together, there he was,
Proud, false, and treacherous, vindictive, all
That thought can add, unthankful, the lay-stall
Of putrid flesh alive! Of blood, the sink!
And so I leave to stir him, lest he stink.



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