Social Commentaries
To Master Bastard, taxing him of Flattery
From The Most Elegant and Witty Epigrams (1618), Book 2
IT was a saying vs'd a great while since,
The subiects euer imitate the Prince,
A vertuous Master, makes a good Disciple,
Religious Prelates breede a godly people.
And euermore the Rulers inclination,
Workes in the time the workes and alteration.
Then what's the reason, Bastard, why thy Rimes
Magnifie Magistrates, yet taunt the times?
I thinke that he to taunt the time that spares not,
Would touch the Magistrate, saue that he dares not.
Codex Note
Book 2, Epigram 84
Cite this poem
MLA
Harington, John. “To Master Bastard, taxing him of Flattery.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/133/.
Chicago
Harington, John. “To Master Bastard, taxing him of Flattery.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/133/.
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