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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AMBOYNA: EPILOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: A POET ONCE THE SPARTAN'S LED TO FIGHT
Last Line: LET CAESAR LIVE, AND CARTHAGE BE SUBDU'D!
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; ENGLAND; GREAT BRITAIN - DUTCH WAR (1672-1678); HONOR; PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS ; POETRY & POETS; ROYAL COURT LIFE; ROYALTY; KINGS; QUEENS; ENGLISH; DRAMATISTS;

A Poet once the @3Spartan's@1 led to fight,
And made 'em conquer in the Muses right:
So would our Poet lead you on this day,
Showing your tortur'd Fathers in his Play.
To one well born th' affront is worse and more,
When he's abus'd and baffled by a Bore:
With an ill Grace the @3Dutch@1 their mischiefs do,
They've both ill Nature and ill Manners too.
Well may they boast themselves an antient Nation,
For they were bred e're Manners were in fashion:
And their new Commonwealth has set 'em free,
Onely from Honour and Civility.
@3Venetians@1 do not more uncouthly ride,
Than did their Lubber-State Mankind bestride;
Their Sway became 'em with as ill a Meen,
As their own Paunches swell above their Chin:
Yet is their Empire no true Growth but Humour,
And onely two Kings' touch can cure the Tumor.
As @3Cato@1 did his @3Affricque@1 Fruits display,
So we before your Eies their @3Indies@1 lay:
All loyal @3English@1 will like him conclude,
Let @3Caesar@1 Live, and @3Carthage@1 be subdu'd!



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