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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN EPIGRAM TO KING CHARLES by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: GREAT CHARLES, AMONG THE HOLY GIFTS OF GRACE
Last Line: BUT, THAT HE CURE THE PEOPLE'S EVIL TOO?
Subject(s): CHARLES I, KING OF ENGLAND (1600-1649); PIETY;

Great Charles, among the holy gifts of grace
Annexed to thy person, and thy place,
'Tis not enough (thy piety is such)
To cure the called King's evil with thy touch;
But thou wilt yet a kinglier mastery try,
To cure the poet's evil, poverty:
And, in these cures, dost so thyself enlarge,
As thou dost cure our evil, at thy charge.
Nay, and in this, thou show'st to value more
One poet, than of other folk ten score.
O piety! So to weigh the poor's estates!
O bounty! So to difference the rates!
What can the poet wish his king may do,
But, that he cure the people's evil too?




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