ON LUCY, COUNTESS OF BEDFORD

by: Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

      HIS morning, timely rapt with holy fire,
      I thought to form unto my jealous Muse
      What kind of creature I could most desire,
      To honour, serve, and love, as poets use.
      I meant to make her fair and free and wise,
      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;
      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
      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.

"On Lucy, Countess of Bedford" is reprinted from Epigrams (1616).

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