English Poetry I: From Chaucer to Gray.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 158. On Lucy, Countess of Bedford |
| | | Ben Jonson (1573–1637) |
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| THIS morning timely wrapt with holy fire, | |
| I thought to form unto my zealous Muse, | |
| What kind of creature I could most desire | |
| To know, serve, and love, as Poets use. | |
| I meant to make her fair, and free, and wise, | 5 |
| Of greatest blood, and yet more good than great; | |
| I meant the day-star should not brighter rise, | |
| Nor lend like influence from his lucent seat; | |
| I meant she should be courteous, facile, sweet, | |
| Hating that solemn vice of greatness, pride; | 10 |
| I meant each softest virtue there should meet, | |
| Fit in that softer bosom to reside. | |
| Only a learnèd, and a manly soul | |
| I purposed her: that should with even powers, | |
| The rock, the spindle, and the shears control | 15 |
| Of Destiny, and spin her own free hours. | |
| Such when I meant to feign, and wished to see, | |
| My Muse bade BEDFORD write, and that was she! | |
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