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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SPEECH PRESENTED UNTO KING JAMES AT A TILTING by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: TWO NOBLE KNIGHTS, WHOM TRUE DESIRE AND ZEAL
Last Line: IF FROM A LITTLE SPARK HE RISE NOT FIRE.
Subject(s): RICH, HENRY. 1ST EARL OF HOLLAND; RICH, ROBERT, 2D EARL OF WARWICK;
Two noble knights, whom true desire and zeal,
Hath armed at all points, charge me humbly kneel
Unto thee, king of men; their noblest parts
To tender thus, their lives, their loves, their hearts!
The elder of these two, rich hope's increase,
Presents a royal altar of fair peace,
And as an everlasting sacrifice
His life, his love, his honour, which ne'er dies,
He freely brings; and on this altar lays
As true oblations; his brother's emblem says,
Except your gracious eye as through a glass
Made prospective, behold him, he must pass
Still that same little point he was; but when
Your royal eye which still creates new men
Shall look, and on him so, then art's a liar
If from a little spark he rise not fire.



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