History & Politics

To William, Lord Mounteagle

by Ben Jonson 1572-1637

From Epigrams (1616)

History & Politics

Lo, what my country should have done (have raised
An obelisk, or column to thy name,
Or, if she would but modestly have praised
Thy fact, in brass or marble writ the same)
I, that am glad of thy great chance, here do!
And proud, my work shall out-last common deeds,
Durst think it great, and worthy wonder too,
But thine, for which I do't, so much exceeds!
My country's parents I have many known;
But, saver of my country, THEE alone.

✦ ✦ ✦

Epigrams, no. 60.

MLA

Jonson, Ben. “To William, Lord Mounteagle.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/103/.

Chicago

Jonson, Ben. “To William, Lord Mounteagle.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/103/.

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