Poetry Codex

Restoration & Augustan

Matthew Prior

1664–1721

Matthew Prior (1664–1721) was the son of a joiner, educated at Westminster School and Cambridge, and made his career as a diplomat. He served as secretary to the embassy at The Hague and in Paris, and took part in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Utrecht, and was imprisoned for a time after the Whig ministry came to power in 1715.

As a poet he was admired for his light, polished verse: songs and epigrams addressed to Cloe, tales and fables, and longer poems such as Alma and Solomon. His Poems on Several Occasions was published by subscription in 1718.

Major Works (2)

  1. Alma: or, the Progress of the Mind — Philosophical poem, 1718
  2. Solomon on the Vanity of the World — Philosophical poem, 1718

Poems (300)

  1. The Despairing Shepherd
  2. The Lady's Looking-Glass
  3. To a Lady: She Refusing to Continue a Dispute with Me
  4. Celia to Damon
  5. To Cloe Weeping
  6. Cloe Hunting
  7. Cupid Mistaken
  8. Venus Mistaken
  9. A Lover's Anger
  10. Mercury and Cupid
  11. On Beauty: A Riddle
  12. The Question, to Lisetta
  13. Lisetta's Reply
  14. The Garland
  15. The Lady Who Offers Her Looking-Glass to Venus
  16. Cloe Jealous
  17. Answer to Cloe Jealous
  18. A Better Answer
  19. To a Young Gentleman in Love
  20. An English Padlock
  21. A Dutch Proverb
  22. The Chameleon
  23. Merry Andrew
  24. A Simile
  25. The Flies
  26. A Paraphrase from the French
  27. To a Person Who Wrote Ill, and Spoke Worse Against Me
  28. Her Right Name
  29. Lines Written in an Ovid
  30. A Reasonable Affliction
  31. Phillis's Age
  32. Forma Bonum Fragile
  33. A Critical Moment
  34. The Thief and the Cordelier
  35. An Epitaph
  36. The merchant, to secure his treasure
  37. Truth and Falsehood
  38. To the Duke de Noailles
  39. On Bishop Atterbury
  40. Earning a Dinner
  41. Bibo and Charon
  42. Two Riddles
  43. Enigma
  44. Riddle: Form'd half beneath, and half above the earth
  45. The Female Phaeton
  46. In vain you tell your parting lover
  47. The Remedy Worse than the Disease
  48. For My Own Monument
  49. On Himself
  50. The Secretary
  51. To a Child of Quality, Five Years Old, 1704, the Author Then Forty
  52. Written in a Lady's Milton
  53. An Ode: On Exodus iii. 14, "I am that I am"
  54. To the Countess of Exeter, Playing on the Lute
  55. The Picture of Seneca Dying in a Bath
  56. An Ode: While Blooming Youth, and Gay Delight
  57. An Epistle to Fleetwood Shephard, Esq.
  58. To the Countess of Dorset, Written in Her Milton
  59. To the Lady Dursley, on the Same Subject
  60. To My Lord Buckhurst, Very Young, Playing with a Cat
  61. An Ode: While from Our Looks, Fair Nymph, You Guess
  62. To the Honourable Charles Montague, Esq.
  63. Hymn to the Sun
  64. To the Author of the Foregoing Pastoral
  65. Seeing the Duke of Ormond's Picture at Sir Godfrey Kneller's
  66. An Ode, Presented to the King on His Majesty's Arrival in Holland, after the Queen's Death, 1695
  67. In Imitation of Anacreon
  68. An English Ballad, on the Taking of Namur by the King of Great Britain, 1695
  69. An Ode, Presented to the King at His Arrival in Holland, after the Discovery of the Conspiracy, 1696
  70. To Mr. Howard: An Ode
  71. Love Disarmed
  72. Cupid and Ganymede
  73. A Song: If Wine and Musick Have the Pow'r
  74. The Dove
  75. Pallas and Venus: An Epigram
  76. Hans Carvel
  77. Paulo Purganti and His Wife: An Honest, but a Simple Pair
  78. The Ladle
  79. Written at Paris, 1700, in the Beginning of Robe's Geography
  80. Written in the Beginning of Mezeray's History of France
  81. Written in the Nouveaux Interests des Princes de l'Europe
  82. Adriani Morientis ad Animam Suam, Imitated
  83. A Passage in the Moriae Encomium of Erasmus, Imitated
  84. To Dr. Sherlock, on His Practical Discourse Concerning Death
  85. Carmen Seculare, for the Year 1700
  86. An Ode, Inscribed to the Memory of the Honourable Col. George Villiers
  87. Prologue, Spoken at Court before the Queen, on Her Majesty's Birth-Day, 1704
  88. A Letter to Monsieur Boileau Despreaux, Occasion'd by the Victory at Blenheim, 1704
  89. For the Plan of a Fountain
  90. From the Greek
  91. Epigram: Frank Carves Very Ill
  92. Epigram: To John I Ow'd Great Obligation
  93. Epigram: Yes, Every Poet Is a Fool
  94. Epigram: Thy Naggs
  95. On the Same Person
  96. Quid Sit Futurum Cras Fuge Quaerere
  97. Henry and Emma: A Poem, upon the Model of The Nut-brown Maid
  98. An Ode, Humbly Inscribed to the Queen, on the Glorious Success of Her Majesty's Arms, 1706
  99. Cantata
  100. A True Maid
  101. A True Maid: Another
  102. A Reasonable Affliction: Another (From Her Own Native France)
  103. A Reasonable Affliction: Another (Her Eye-brow-Box)
  104. A Reasonable Affliction: On the Same Subject
  105. A Reasonable Affliction: On the Same
  106. Epilogue to Phaedra
  107. Epilogue to Lucius
  108. To the Right Honourable Mr. Harley: Horace, Lib. I. Epist. IX, Imitated
  109. To Mr. Harley, Wounded by Guiscard
  110. An Extempore Invitation to the Earl of Oxford, 1712
  111. Erle Robert's Mice, in Chaucer's Style
  112. In the Same Style: Fair Susan
  113. A Flower, Painted by Simon Varelst
  114. To the Lady Elizabeth Harley
  115. Protogenes and Apelles
  116. Democritus and Heraclitus
  117. Gualterus Danistonus, Ad Amicos, Imitated
  118. The First Hymn of Callimachus, to Jupiter
  119. The Second Hymn of Callimachus, to Apollo
  120. Charity: A Paraphrase on the Thirteenth Chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians
  121. Engraven on a Column in the Church of Halstead in Essex
  122. Written in Montaigne's Essays
  123. An Epistle, Desiring the Queen's Picture
  124. To the Right Honourable the Countess Dowager of Devonshire, on a Piece of Wissin's, Whereon Were All Her Grandsons Painted
  125. The Judgment of Venus
  126. Song to His Mistress
  127. An Ode, in Imitation of the Second Ode of the Third Book of Horace
  128. An Epistle to Sir Fleetwood Sheppard
  129. A Satire on the Modern Translators
  130. A Satire upon the Poets, in Imitation of the Seventh Satire of Juvenal
  131. Epitaph Extempore
  132. The Turtle and the Sparrow: A Tale
  133. Application of the Turtle and the Sparrow
  134. Down-Hall: A Ballad
  135. Verses Spoke to the Lady Henrietta-Cavendish Holles Harley
  136. Prologue to the Orphan
  137. The Conversation: A Tale
  138. Colin's Mistakes
  139. Considerations on Part of the 88th Psalm
  140. On the Taking of Namur, 1692
  141. A Fable: The Fox and the Vizard
  142. A Song: Reading Ends in Melancholy
  143. Consummation
  144. The Fortune-Teller
  145. Cupid Turned Stroller
  146. Snuff: An Epigram
  147. Daphne and Apollo, Imitated
  148. Prologue, Spoken by Lord Buckhurst at Westminster School at a Representation of Dryden's Cleomenes, Christmas 1695
  149. The Mice: A Tale
  150. The Viceroy: A Ballad
  151. Upon This Passage in Scaligeriana
  152. Nell and John: An Epigram
  153. Gabriel and His Wives: An Epigram
  154. Silvia: An Epigram
  155. Richard and Nelly: An Epigram
  156. Cupid in Ambush
  157. Nannette: A Song
  158. The Priest and the Shepherd: An Imitation of a Greek Epigram
  159. On a Fart, Let in the House of Commons
  160. On Hall's Death: An Epigram
  161. Prometheus: An Epigram
  162. The Wandering Pilgrim
  163. The Advice of Venus
  164. Cupid Turned Plowman
  165. Husband and Wife: An Epigram
  166. To Fortune: Another
  167. Chast Florimel
  168. Partial Fame
  169. A Song: Whither Would My Passion Run
  170. Non Pareil: In Praise of Phyllis
  171. Upon Honour: A Fragment
  172. The Old Gentry
  173. The Incurable: An Epigram
  174. The Insatiable Priest
  175. Doctors Differ: An Epigram
  176. Pontius and Pontia
  177. Cautious Alice
  178. To a Poet of Quality, Praising the Lady Hinchinbroke
  179. The Prater: An Epigram
  180. Truth Told at Last: An Epigram
  181. Two Beggars Disputing Their Right to an Oyster
  182. A French Song
  183. A Case Stated
  184. To My Lord Harley: Extempore
  185. A Letter to the Honourable Lady Margaret-Cavendish-Holles-Harley
  186. Nelly's Picture: A Song
  187. Prologue for Delia's Play, The Royal Mischief
  188. Amaryllis: A Pastoral
  189. Cupid's Promise, Paraphrased
  190. Lamentation for Dorinda
  191. On Absence, to Leonora
  192. To Leonora: Encore
  193. On a Pretty Madwoman
  194. The Torment of Absence
  195. The New-Year's Gift to Phyllis
  196. Coy Jenny: A Song
  197. To Celia: An Epigram
  198. Upon a Friend Who Had a Pain in His Left Side
  199. Song: Strephonetta, Why D'ye Fly Me
  200. Parting with Flavia
  201. Song: Let Perjur'd Fair Aminta Know
  202. To Phillis
  203. Song: Phillis, This Pious Talk Give O'er
  204. Song: Still, Dorinda, I Adore
  205. Song: Is It, O Love, Thy Want of Eyes
  206. A Two Part Song
  207. Song: Morella, Charming without Art
  208. Song: Since My Words, Though Ne'er So Tender
  209. Song: Love! Inform Thy Faithful Creature
  210. Song: Since, Moggy, I Mun Bid Adieu
  211. Song: Once I Was Unconfin'd and Free
  212. Song: Some Kind Angel, Gently Flying
  213. Song: Farewel, Amynta, We Must Part
  214. Les Estreines
  215. Song: Nanny Blushes When I Woo Her
  216. Song: Since We Your Husband Daily See
  217. Advice to a Lady
  218. Song: Since by Ill Fate I'm Forc'd Away
  219. Song: Touch the Lyre, on Every String
  220. Song: In Vain, Alas! Poor Strephon Tries
  221. Song: Well! I Will Never More Complain
  222. Song: Chloe Beauty Has and Wit
  223. To the Reverend Dr. Francis Turner, Bishop of Ely, Who Had Advised a Translation of Prudentius
  224. A Pastoral to Dr. Turner, Bishop of Ely, on His Departure from Cambridge
  225. Epigram, Extempore
  226. On Bishop Atterbury's Burying the Duke of Buckingham, 1720
  227. Lines Written under the Print of Tom Britton, the Small-Coal-Man
  228. Written in Lady Howe's Ovid's Epistles
  229. True's Epitaph
  230. Epigram: To Richmond and Peterburgh, Matt Gave His Letters
  231. Upon Playing at Ombre with Two Ladies
  232. On My Birth-Day
  233. To Madam K. P.: A Pastoral Dialogue
  234. To a Lady Sleeping
  235. Charity Never Faileth
  236. In Praise of the Lady Margaret, Foundress of St John's
  237. As Spoken in a Vision to the Lady Margaret, Foundress of St John's
  238. On the Coronation
  239. Not Writing to K. P.
  240. Arria and Petus, out of Martial: A Paraphrase
  241. To the Countess of Dorset, Walking in a Garden
  242. To the E. of D. upon His Marriage
  243. Journey to Copt-Hall
  244. On Mr. Fleetwood Shephard's Killing the French K.
  245. Advice to the Painter, upon the Defeat of the Rebels in the West and the Execution of the Late D. of Monmouth
  246. To the Bishop of Rochester, upon His Account of the Whiggish Conspiracy
  247. God Is Love
  248. To the E. of Dorset, on the Birth of His Son
  249. A Hymn to the Spring
  250. A Session of the Poets
  251. To a Friend on His Marriage
  252. Letter to J....
  253. To Dr. F., in a Letter to Beverley, Dissuading Him from Drinking Waters
  254. Inspired Wit
  255. Epistle to Lord —
  256. To My Lady Exeter, on New Year's Day, Her Birth-Day
  257. Answer to an Orange
  258. Song: Love Has Often Threaten'd War
  259. Song: Love, I Confess I Thought Thee but a Name
  260. To Mr. K.'s Tune of the Prince's March
  261. Caelia
  262. Caelia: The Same Varied
  263. A Hymn to Venus, upon a Marriage
  264. A Fable: In Aesop's Tales an Honest Wretch
  265. A New Answer to an Argument against a Standing Army
  266. A Prophecy
  267. A Ballad: The Factions Which Each Other Claw
  268. A Ballad of Vigour
  269. Seneca, Troas, Act II: The Chorus Translated
  270. Translated from the Original French
  271. Reality and Image
  272. Verses Intended for Lock and Montaigne
  273. Fragments Written at Down-Hall: For When Your Judge Becomes Your Foe
  274. Fragments Written at Down-Hall: To Her Loose Dress She Calls Some Foreign Aid
  275. Fragments for Alma: All This Says Richard Is but Nonsense
  276. Fragments for Alma: Yet Happy Human Race My Friend
  277. Fragments for Alma: Besides a Man Must Never Put
  278. Fragments: Odd Is the Justice of That Land
  279. Fragments: Who E'er a Serious View Will Take
  280. To Florimel
  281. Invocation to Fortune: Written under a Picture Painted by Mr. Howard
  282. True Statesmen
  283. Simile
  284. The Courtier: A Fragment
  285. Fragment: For K-n-tt Call'd White
  286. Narcissus
  287. On the Marchioness of Caermarthen
  288. Virgil, Georgic IV, 511: Translated
  289. Answer to the Female Phaeton
  290. In a Window in Lord Villiers' House, 1696
  291. A Prologue Intended to the Play of Chit-Chat, but Never Finished
  292. Prelude to a Tale from Boccace, in Blank Verse
  293. Predestination: A Poem
  294. Fragment from Britannicus
  295. Epigram: My Lord, There's a Christ'ning
  296. Translation of an Epitaph upon Gilbert Glanville, Bishop of Rochester
  297. From Ronsard's Franciade, Book IV
  298. Jinny the Just
  299. From a Letter to the Earl of Dorset
  300. On the Death of Queen Mary

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