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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE DETRACTER by ROBERT HERRICK

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHERE OTHERS LOVE, AND PRAISE MY VERSES; STILL
Last Line: ARE WANTON WITH THEIR ITCH; SCRATCH, AND 'TWILL PLEASE.
Subject(s): POETRY & POETS;
Where others love, and praise my Verses; still
Thy long-black-Thumb-nail marks 'em out for ill:
A fellon take it, or some Whit-flaw come
For to unslate, or to untile that thumb!
But cry thee Mercy: Exercise thy nailes
To scratch or claw, so that thy tongue not railes:
Some numbers prurient are, and some of these
Are wanton with their itch; scratch, and 'twill please.



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