On Don Surly

XXVIII.
 ? ON DON SURLY.
   
  Don SURLY, to aspire the glorious name
  Of a great man, and to be thought the same,
 Makes serious use of all great trade he knows,
  He speaks to men with a rhinocerote's nose,
 Which he thinks great ; and so reads verses too :
  And that is done, as he saw great men do.
 He has tympanies of business in his face,
  And can forget men's names, with a great grace.
 He will both argue, and discourse in oaths,
  Both which are great : and laugh at ill-made clothes ;
 That's greater, yet : to cry his own up neat.
  He doth at meals, alone, his pheasant eat,
 Which is main greatness ; and at his still board
  He drinks to no man : that's, too, like a lord.
 He keeps another's wife, which is a spice
  Of solemn greatness ; and he dares, at dice,
 Blaspheme God greatly ; or some poor hind beat,
  That breathes in his dog's way : and this is great.
 Nay more, for greatness sake, he will be one
  May hear my epigrams, but like of none.
 SURLY, use other arts, these only can
  Style thee a most great fool, but no great man.


 [AJ Notes:
cry his own up neat, facilely praise his own clothes.
still board, quiet table.
 ]

Biography | Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes | Email Poem |

Poems are below...