Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON HONOUR by MATTHEW PRIOR

First Line: HONOUR, I SAY, OR HONEST FAME
Last Line: AND KINGS CAN NEITHER TAKE NOR GIVE.
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; FAME; HONOR; REPUTATION;
HONOUR, I say, or honest fame,
I mean the substance, not the name;
(Not that light heap of tawdry wares,
Of ermine, coronets, and stars,
Which often is by merit sought,
By gold and flattery oftener bought;
The shade, for which ambition looks
In Selden's or in Ashmole's books:)
But the true glory, which proceeds,
Reflected bright, from honest deeds,
Which we in our own breast perceive,
And kings can neither take nor give.



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