Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO SIR THOMAS OVERBURY by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SO PHOEBUS MAKES ME WORTHY OF HIS BAYS
Last Line: WHO IN SUCH AMBITION CAN BUT FOLLOW THEE.
Subject(s): OVERBURY, SIR THOMAS (1581-1613);

So Phoebus makes me worthy of his bays,
As but to speak thee, Overbury, is praise:
So, where thou liv'st, thou mak'st life understood!
Where, what makes others great, doth keep thee good!
I think, the Fate of court thy coming craved,
That the wit there, and manners might be saved:
For since, what ignorance, what pride is fled!
And letters, and humanity in the stead!
Repent thee not of thy fair precedent,
Could make such men, and such a place repent:
Nor may any fear, to lose of their degree,
Who in such ambition can but follow thee.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net