Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GOOD MEN AFFLICTED MOST by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: GOD MAKES NOT GOOD MEN WANTON, BUT DOTH BRING
Last Line: HE NEVER BRINGS THEM ONCE TO TH' PUSH OF PIKES.
God makes not good men wantons, but doth bring
Them to the field, and, there, to skirmishing;
With trialls those, with terrors these He proves,
And hazards those most, whom the most He loves;
For Sceva, darts; for Cocles, dangers; thus
He finds a fire for mighty Mutius;
Death for stout Cato; and besides all these,
A poyson too He has for Socrates;
Torments for high Attilius; and, with want,
Brings in Fabricius for a Combatant:
But, bastard-slips, and such as He dislikes,
He never brings them once to th' push of Pikes.



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