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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MY WORTHY AND HONOURED FRIEND, MR. GEORGE CHAPMAN by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHOSE WORK COULD THIS BE, CHAPMAN, TO REFINE
Last Line: AND WHO MAKE THITHER ELSE, ROB, OR INVADE.
Subject(s): CHAPMAN, GEORGE (1559-1634); POETRY & POETS; TRANSLATING & INTERPRETING;

Whose work could this be, Chapman, to refine
Old Hesiod's ore, and give it us; but thine,
Who hadst before wrought in rich Homer's mine?

What treasure hast thou brought us! And what store
Still, still, dost thou arrive with, at our shore,
To make thy honour, and our wealth the more!

If all the vulgar tongues, that speak this day,
Were asked of thy discoveries; they must say,
To the Greek coast thine only knew the way.

Such passage hast thou found, such returns made,
As, now, of all men, it is called thy trade:
And who make thither else, rob, or invade.



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