Arts & Sciences

Song: Come On, Come On! and Where You Go

by Ben Jonson 1572-1637

From Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue

Arts & Sciences

Daed. Come on, come on! and where you go,
So interweave the curious knot,
As ev'n the observer scarce may know
Which lines are Pleasures, and which not.
First figure out the doubtful way,
At which a while all youth should stay,
Where she and Virtue did contend,
Which should have Hercules to friend.
Then as all actions of mankind
Are but a labyrinth or maze:
So let your dances be entwined,
Yet not perplex men unto gaze:
But measured, and so numerous too,
As men may read each act they do;
And when they see the graces meet,
Admire the wisdom of your feet.
For dancing is an exercise,
Not only shows the mover's wit,
But maketh the beholder wise,
As he hath power to rise to it.

✦ ✦ ✦

Daedalus's first song, as the masquers form their dance.

MLA

Jonson, Ben. “Song: Come On, Come On! and Where You Go.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/298/.

Chicago

Jonson, Ben. “Song: Come On, Come On! and Where You Go.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/298/.

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