I prithee spare me gentle boy



I prithee spare me gentle boy,
Press me no more for that slight toy,
That foolish trifle of an heart;
I swear it will not do its part,
Though thou dost thine, employ'st thy pow'r and art.

For through long custom it has known
The little secrets, and is grown
Sullen and wise, will have its will,
And like old hawks pursues that still
That makes least sport, flies only where't can kill.

Some youth that has not made his story,
Will think perchance the pain's the glory,
And mannerly sit out love's feast;
I shall be carving of the best,
Rudely call for the last course 'fore the rest.

And oh when once that course is past,
How short a time the feast doth last;
Men rise away and scarce say grace,
Or civilly once thank the face
That did invite, but seek another place.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 07, 2023

45 sec read
98

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABBB CCDDD EEXFF GGHHH
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 756
Words 148
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 5, 5, 5, 5

Sir John Suckling

Sir John Suckling was an English poet and one prominent figure among those renowned for careless gaiety wit and all the accomplishments of a Cavalier poet and also the inventor of the card game cribbage He is best known for his poem Ballad Upon a Wedding more…

All Sir John Suckling poems | Sir John Suckling Books

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