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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EPIGRAM: TO CENSORIOUS COURTLING by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: COURTLING, I RATHER THOU SHOULDST UTTERLY
Last Line: WOULD BOTH THY FOLLY, AND THY SPITE BETRAY.

Courtling, I rather thou shouldst utterly
Dispraise my work, than praise it frostily:
When I am read, thou feign'st a weak applause,
As if thou wert my friend, but lackd'st a cause.
This but thy judgement fools: the other way
Would both thy folly, and thy spite betray.



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