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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE INDIAN EMPEROR: EPILOGUE, by JOHN DRYDEN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: To all and singular in this full meeting Last Line: Wit live by beauty, beauty reign by wit. Subject(s): Apollo; Beauty; Love; Mythology - Classical | |||
To all and singular in this full Meeting, Ladies and Gallants, Phoebus sends me greeting. To all his Sons, by whate'er Title known, Whether of Court, of Coffee-house, or Town; From his most mighty Sons, whose Confidence Is plac'd in lofty Sound and humble Sense, Even to his little Infants of the Time, Who write new Songs and trust in Tune and Rhyme; Be't known, that Phoebus (being daily griev'd To see good Piays condemn'd and bad receiv'd) Ordains your Judgment upon every Cause Henceforth be limited by wholesome Laws. He first thinks fit no Sonnetteer advance His Censure farther than the Song or Dance. Your Wit burlesque may one Step higher climb, And in his Sphere may judge all dogrel Rhyme; All proves, and moves, and loves, and honours too; All that appears high Sense, and scarce is low. As for the Coffee-wits, he says not much; Their proper Business is to damn the Dutch. For the great Dons of Wit -------- Phoebus gives them full Privilege alone To damn all others, and cry up their own. Last, for the Ladies, 'tis Apollo's Will, They should have power to save, but not to kill; For Love and he long since have thought it fit, Wit live by Beauty, Beauty reign by Wit. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#11): 1. ABOUT THE DEAD MAN AND MEDUSA by MARVIN BELL THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#11): 2. MORE ABOUT THE DEAD MAN AND MEDUSA by MARVIN BELL THE BIRTH OF VENUS by HAYDEN CARRUTH LEDA 2: A NOTE ON VISITATIONS by LUCILLE CLIFTON LEDA 3: A PERSONAL NOTE (RE: VISITATIONS) by LUCILLE CLIFTON UNEXPECTED HOLIDAY by STEPHEN DOBYNS A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY by JOHN DRYDEN A SONG TO A FAIR YOUNG LADY GOING OUT OF TOWN IN THE SPRING by JOHN DRYDEN |
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