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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MY FRIEND WILL.DAVENANT, UPON HIS POEM OF 'MADAGASCAR' by JOHN SUCKLING

First Line: WHAT MIGHTY PRINCES POETS ARE! THOSE THINGS
Last Line: IN THY NEXT VOYAGE BRING THE GOLD TOO WITH THEE.
Subject(s): DAVENANT, SIR WILLIAM (1606-1668); PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS;

WHAT mighty princes poets are! those things
The great ones stick at, and our very kings
Lay down, they venture on; and with great ease
Discover, conquer, what and where they please.
Some phlegmatic sea-captain would have stay'd
For money now, or victuals; not have weigh'd
Anchor without'em; thou, Will, dost not stay
So much as for a wind, but go'st away,
Land'st, view'st the country; fight'st, put'st all to rout,
Before another could be putting out!
And now the news in town is, D'Av'nant's come
From Madagascar, fraught with laurel home;
And welcome, Will, for the first time; but prithee,
In thy next voyage bring the gold too with thee.



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