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THE MONOPOLY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What mines of sulphur in my breast do lie
Last Line: They take their feathers, we the head.
Subject(s): Women


1.

WHat Mines of Sulphur in my breast do lye,
That feed th' eternall burnings of my heart?
Not AEtna flames more fierce or constantly,
The sounding Shop of Vulcan's smoky art;
Vulcan his shop has placed there,
And Cupid's Forge is set up here.

2.

Here all those Arrowes' mortall Heads are made,
That fly so thick unseen through yeelding aire;
The Cyclops here, which labour at the trade
Are Jealousie, Fear, Sadnesse, and Despair.
Ah cruel God! and why to mee
Gave you this curst Monopoly!

3.

I have the trouble, not the gains of it;
Give me but the disposall of one Dart;
And then (I'le ask no other benefit)
Heat as you please your furnace in my Heart.
So sweet's Revenge to me, that I
Upon my foe would gladly dye.

4.

Deep into 'her bosome would I strike the dart,
Deeper then Woman ere was struck by Thee;
Thou giv'st them small wounds, and so farre from th'
Heart,
They flutter still about, inconstantly.
Curse on thy Goodnesse, whom we find
Civill to none but Womankind!

5.

Vain God! who women dost thy selfe adore!
Their wounded Hearts do still retain the powers
To travail, and to wander as before;
Thy broken Arrows 'twixt that Sex and ours
So 'unjustly are distributed;
They take their Feathers, we the Head.





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