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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THREE PASTORAL ELEGIES: TO THE READER (1) by WILLIAM BASSE

First Line: READE ONE, AND SAY, 'TIS GOOD; I BEARE THE NAME
Last Line: SO THAT I KNOW A FOOLE BE NOT MY IUDGE.
Subject(s): ART & ARTISTS; BOOKS; CRITICS & CRITICISM; READING;

READE one, and say, tis good; I beare the name:
Reade one, and say, tis ill; I beare the shame:
If thou sayst, good, and think'st it too in heart,
Sweetely farewell, no matter who thou art:
If thou sayst meane, thou iudgest like a frend,
I would be so, because I meane to mend:
If thou sayst, ill, and doost in heart dispraise it,
I yeeld not till I know a Wiseman saies it.
Thus quit me, or condemne me, Ile not grudge,
So that I know a foole be not my Iudge.



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