Living

Of Virgins face, with winges, and tallants strong

by Henry Peacham 1576?–1643?

From Minerva Britanna (1612)

Living

OF Virgins face, with winges, and tallants strong,
Vpon thy table, PHINEVS here behold,
A monstrous Harpie, that hath praeied long,
Vpon thy meates, while thou art blind, and old,
And at all times, his appetite doth serue,
While vnregarded, thou thy selfe dost sterue.

The Courtes of Kinges, are said to keepe a crew
Of these still hungry for their private gaine:
The first is he, that carries tales vntrue,
The second, whome base bribing doth maintaine,
The third and last, the Parasite I find,
Who bites the worst, if Princes will be blind.

MLA

Peacham, Henry. “Of Virgins face, with winges, and tallants strong.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/112/.

Chicago

Peacham, Henry. “Of Virgins face, with winges, and tallants strong.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/peacham/112/.

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