Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO FORTUNE by MATTHEW PRIOR

First Line: WHILST I IN PRISON OR IN COURT LOOK DOWN
Last Line: AND, WOULDST THOU HAVE ME HUMBLED, MAKE ME GREAT.
Subject(s): FORTUNE; PRIDE; PRISONS & PRISONERS; SELF-ESTEEM; SELF-RESPECT;

WHILST I in prison or in court look down,
Nor beg thy favour, nor deserve thy frown,
In vain, malicious fortune, hast thou tried,
By taking from my state, to quell my pride:
Insulting girl! thy present rage abate;
And, wouldst thou have me humbled, make me great.



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