Social Commentaries

To Master Bastard, taxing him of Flattery

by Sir John Harington 1560–1612

From The Most Elegant and Witty Epigrams (1618), Book 2

Social Commentaries

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.

✦ ✦ ✦

Book 2, Epigram 84

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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