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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HARRY CAREY'S REPLY TO THE LIBELLING GENTRY, ANGRY AT HIS WELFARE by HENRY CAREY (1687-1743)

Poet Analysis

First Line: WITH AN HONEST OLD FRIEND AND A MERRY OLD SONG
Last Line: FOR THE MORE WE ARE ENVIED, THE HIGHER WE RISE.
Subject(s): ENVY; FRIENDSHIP;

WITH an honest old friend and a merry old song,
And a flask of old port, let me sit the night long,
And laugh at the malice of those who repine
That they must swig porter while I can drink wine.

I envy no mortal tho' ever so great,
Nor scorn I a wretch for his lowly estate;
But what I abhor and esteem as a curse
Is poorness of Spirit, not poorness in Purse.

Then dare to be generous, dauntless, and gay,
Let's merrily pass life's remainder away;
Upheld by our friends, we our foes may despise,
For the more we are envied, the higher we rise.



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