Ben Jonson


  E  P  I  G  R  A  M  S .


IV. — TO  KING  JAMES.

How, best of kings, dost thou a sceptre bear !
How, best of poets, dost thou laurel wear !
But two things rare the Fates had in their store,
And gave thee both, to shew they could no more.
For such a poet, while thy days were green,
Thou wert, as chief of them are said t' have been.
And such a prince thou art, we daily see,
As chief of those still promise they will be.
Whom should my muse then fly to, but the best
Of kings, for grace ;  of poets, for my test ?

 

King James I
King James I
Source:
Jonson, Ben.  The Works of Ben Jonson.
Boston: Phillips, Sampson, and Co., 1853. 785.
Backto Works of Ben Jonson

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