HIGH-SPIRITED friend, 
I send nor balms nor cor'sives to your wound: 
   Your fate hath found 
A gentler and more agile hand to tend 
The cure of that which is but corporal; 
And doubtful days, which were named critical, 
   Have made their fairest flight 
   And now are out of sight. 
Yet doth some wholesome physic for the mind 
   Wrapp'd in this paper lie, 
Which in the taking if you misapply, 
   You are unkind. 

   Your covetous hand, 
Happy in that fair honour it hath gain'd, 
   Must now be rein'd. 
True valour doth her own renown command 
In one full action; nor have you now more 
To do, than be a husband of that store. 
   Think but how dear you bought 
   This fame which you have caught: 
Such thoughts will make you more in love with truth. 
   'Tis wisdom, and that high, 
For men to use their fortune reverently, 
   Even in youth. 

Added: Apr 6 2005 | Viewed: 503 times | Comments (0)

Poet: Ben Jonson
Poem: The Noble Balm

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