Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VOLPONE: FOOLS by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: FOOLS, THEY ARE THE ONLY NATION
Last Line: HE, HE, HE?

Fools, they are the only nation
Worth men's envy, or admiration;
Free from care, or sorrow-taking,
Selves, and others merry making:
All they speak, or do, is sterling.
Your fool, he is your great man's darling,
And your lady's sport and pleasure;
Tongue and bauble are his treasure.
E'en his face begetteth laughter,
And he speaks truth free from slaughter;
He's the grace of every feast,
And, sometimes, the chiefest guest;
Hath his trencher, and his stool,
When wit waits upon the fool.
O, who would not be
He, he, he?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net