Social Commentaries

In Sillam (28)

by Sir John Davies 1569–1626

From Complete Poems, ed. Grosart (1876)

Social Commentaries

Who dares affirme that Silla dares not fight?
When I dare sweare he dares adventure more
Than the most braue and all-daring wight,
That euer armes with resolution bore;
He that dares touch the most unwholsome whore
That euer was retir'd into the Spittle
And dares court wenches standing at a doore,
(The portion his wit being passing little);
He that dares give his dearest friends offences,
Which other valiant fooles doe feare to doe:
And when a feaver doth confound his sences,
Dare eate raw beefe, and drink strong wine thereto:
He that dares take tobacco on the stage,
Dares man a whore at noone-day through the street:
Dares dance in Paul's and in this formall age,
Dares say and doe whateuer is unmeet;
Whom feare of shame could neuer yet affright,--
Who dares affirme that Sylla dares not fight?

MLA

Davies, John. “In Sillam (28).” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/davies/125/.

Chicago

Davies, John. “In Sillam (28).” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/davies/125/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Sir John Davies