Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LIFE AND DEATH by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE PORTS OF DEATH ARE SINS; OF LIFE, GOOD DEEDS
Last Line: FOR GOOD MEN BUT SEE DEATH, THE WICKED TASTE IT.
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;

The ports of death are sins; of life, good deeds:
Through which, our merit leads us to our meeds.
How wilful blind is he then, that would stray,
And hath it, in his powers, to make his way!
This world death's region is, the other life's:
And here, it should be one of our first strifes,
So to front death, as men might judge us past it.
For good men but see death, the wicked taste it.



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