Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CAELICA: 36 by FULKE GREVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: KINGS THAT IN YOUTH, LIKE ALL THINGS ELSE, ARE FINE
Last Line: SCHOOLS OF THIS TRUTH ARE YET NOT BROUGHT A-BED.
Kings that in youth, like all things else, are fine
Have some who for their childish faults are beaten;
When more years unto greater vice incline,
Some, whom the world doth for their errors threaten;

So Cupid, you, who boast of prince's blood,
For women's princelike weaknesses are blamed,
And common error, yet not understood,
Makes you for their newfangleness, defamed.

Poor women swear, they ignorant of harms,
With gentle minds perchance take easy motions;
Sweet nature yielding to the pleasing charms
Of man's false lust disguised with devotion;
But which are worse, kings ill or easily led,
Schools of this truth are yet not brought a-bed.



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