Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO HIS LADY, THEN MISTRESS CARY by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: RETIRED, WITH PURPOSE YOUR FAIR WORTH TO PRAISE
Last Line: CARY MY LOVE IS, DAPHNE BUT MY TREE.'
Subject(s): CARY, ANNE; UVEDALE, SIR WILLIAM (D. 1652);
Retired, with purpose your fair worth to praise,
'Mongst Hampton shades, and Phoebus' grove of bays,
I plucked a branch; the jealous god did frown,
And bad me lay the usurped laurel down:
Said I wronged him, and (which was more) his love.
I answered, 'Daphne now no pain can prove.'
Phoebus replied: 'Bold head, it is not she:
Cary my love is, Daphne but my tree.'



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