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. ]

Form: Heroic Couplet

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