Social Commentaries

Epigram 40 (How quickly doth the Reader passe away,)

by Thomas Bastard 1565/6–1618

From Chrestoleros (1598), Book 1

Social Commentaries

How quickly doth the Reader passe away,
My pens long taske and trauaile of the day?
Foure lines, which hold me tug an hower or twaine
He sups vp with a breath and takes no paine.
Yet vse me well Reader, which to procure
Thy one short pleasure two long paines endure:
The one of writing when it is begonne:
Th'other of shame, if't please not when tis done.

MLA

Bastard, Thomas. “Epigram 40 (How quickly doth the Reader passe away,).” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/bastard/40/.

Chicago

Bastard, Thomas. “Epigram 40 (How quickly doth the Reader passe away,).” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/bastard/40/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Thomas Bastard