Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SATYR, by JOHN WILMOT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SATYR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Must I with patience ever silent sit
Last Line: Or who'd be safe and senseless like tom thinn?
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of
Subject(s): Gwynn, Eleanor (nell) (1650-1687); Hewitt, George. Viscount Hewytt Of Goran; How, John Grubman (1657-1722); Savage, Thomas. Earl Rivers (1628-1694); Savile, George. Marquis Of Halifax; Thynne Of Longleat, Thomas (1648-1682); Villiers, Edward (1620-1689)


MUST I with Patience ever silent sit
Perplext with Fools who will believe they've wit?
Must I find every place by Coxcombs seiz'd,
Hear their affected Nonsense, and seem pleas'd?
Must I meet Henningham where e'er I go
Arp, Arran, Villain Frank, nay P[oultn]y too?
Shall H[ewet] pertly crawl from place to place
And scabby Villers for a Beauty pass?
Shall H[ow] and B[randon] Politicians prove,
And S[outherlan]d presume to be in Love?
'Shall pimping Dencourt patient Cuckolds Blame
'Lumley and Savage 'gainst the Pope disclaim,
Who can abstain from Satyr in this Age?
What Nature wants, I find supply'd by Rage.
Some do for Pimping, some for Treach'ry rise,
But none's made Great for being good or wise.
Deserve a Dungeon if you would be great,
Rogues always are our Ministers of State.
Mean prostrate Bitches for a Bridewell fit,
With England's wretched Queen, must equal sit,
R[anelagh] and fearful M[ulgrave] are preferr'd,
Vertue's commended, but ne'er meets Reward.
'May I ne're be like these I'l ask no more,
'I wou'd not be the Men that have their Pow'r.
Who'd be a Monarch to endure the Prating
Of Nell and sawcy Oglethorp in waiting,
Who would S[outhampton's] drivling Cuckold be?
Who would be Y --, and bear his infamy?
What wretch would be Green's base begotten Son?
Who would be J[ames] out-witted and undone?
Who would be S[underland] a cringing knave
Like Hallifax like, Boarish P[embrook] brave?
'Who'd be that patient Bardash S[hrewsbury]
'Or who wou'd F -- s chattering M -- be,
Who'd be a Wit in Dryden's cudgel'd Skin?
Or who'd be safe and senseless like Tom Thinn?





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