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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FORTUNE (A FRAGMENT) by JOHN DRYDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: FORTUNE, THAT, WITH MALICIOUS JOY
Last Line: AND VIRTUE, THOUGH IN RAGS, WILL KEEP ME WARM.

FORTUNE, that, with malicious joy,
Does man her slave oppress,
Proud of her office to destroy,
Is seldom pleased to bless:
Still various and unconstant still,
But with an inclination to be ill,
Promotes, degrades, delights in strife,
And makes a lottery of life.
I can enjoy her while she's kind;
But when she dances in the wind,
And shakes her wings and will not stay,
I puff the prostitute away:
The little or the much she gave, is quietly resigned:
Contant with poverty, my soul I arm;
And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.



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