Ben Jonson - On Don Surly

Ben Jonson - On Don Surly

Don Surly, to aspire the glorious name br  Of a great man, and to be thought the same, br Makes serious use of all great trade he know. br  He speaks to men with a Rhinocerotes' nose, br Which he thinks great; and so reads verses too, br  And that is done as he saw great men do. br He has timpanies of business in his face, br  And can forget men's names with a great grace. br He will both argue and discourse in oaths, br  Both which are great; and laugh at ill-made clothes- br That's greater yet-to cry his own up neat. br  He doth, at meals, alone his pheasant eat, br Which is main greatness; and at his still board br  He drinks to no man; that's, too, like a lord. br He keeps another's wife, which is a spice br  Of solemn greatness. And he dares, at dice, br Blaspheme God greatly, or some poor hind beat br  That breathes in his dog's way; and this is great. br Nay more, for greatness' sake, he will be one br  May hear my epigrams, but like of none, br Surly, use other arts; these only can br  Style thee a most great fool, but no great man.


User: PoemHunter.com

Views: 7

Uploaded: 2014-11-10

Duration: 01:28

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