Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TOUCHSTONE OF TRUTH by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: TRUTH IS THE TRIAL OF ITSELF
Last Line: OF THE MOST WORTHY LOVE.
Subject(s): TRUTH;
Truth is the trial of itself,
And needs no other touch,
And purer than the purest gold,
Refine it ne'er so much.
It is the life and light of love,
The sun that ever shineth,
And spirit of that special grace,
That faith and love defineth.
It is the warrant of the Word,
That yields a scent so sweet,
As gives a power to faith, to tread
All falsehood under feet.
It is the sword that doth divide,
The marrow from the bone,
And in effect of heavenly love
Doth show the holy one.
This, blessed Warre, thy blessed book
Unto the world doth prove.
A worthy work, and worthy well,
Of the most worthy love.



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