Macer : A Character poem – Alexander Pope

A poem by Alexander Pope (1688-1744) , the greatest English poet of “Augustan” or Georgian period

When simple Macer, now of high renown,

First fought a Poet’s Fortune in the Town,

‘Twas all th’ Ambition his high soul could feel,

To wear red stockings, and to dine with Steele.

Some Ends of verse his Betters might afford,

And gave the harmless fellow a good word.

Set up with these he ventur’d on the Town,

And with a borrow’d Play, out-did poor Crown.

There he stopp’d short, nor since has write a tittle,

But has the wit to make the most of little;

Like stunted hide-bound Trees, that just have got

Sufficient sap at once to bear and rot.

Now he begs Verse, and what he gets commends,

Not of the Wits his foes, but Fools his friends.

So some coarse Country Wench, almost decay’d,

Trudges to town, and first turns Chambermaid;

Awkward and supple, each devoir to pay;

She flatters her good Lady twice a day;

Thought wond’rous honest, tho’ of mean degree,

And strangely lik’d for her Simplicity:

In a translated Suit, then tries the Town,

With borrow’d Pins, and Patches not her own:

But just endur’d the winter she began,

And in four months a batter’d Harridan.

Now nothing left, but wither’d, pale, and shrunk,

To bawd for others, and go shares with Punk.

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Poems in English 

• Валерий Брюсов – После ночи бессонной by Валерий Брюсов
• Валерий Брюсов – Я жизнью пьян. Напиток жгучий by Валерий Брюсов
• Василий Каменский – Из Симеиза в Алупку by Василий Каменский
• Василий Казин – Письмо by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Ожидание by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Ну, тебя ль, далекая by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Не потому ль к любви вселенской by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – На могиле матери by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Мой отец простой водопроводчик by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Кирилл и Мефодий by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Каменщик by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Гармонист by Василий Казин
• Василий Казин – Эпоха by Василий Казин
• Василий Кубанёв – 12 июля by Василий Кубанёв
• Василий Курочкин – Юмористическим чутьем by Василий Kурочкин
• Василий Курочкин – Старая песня by Василий Kурочкин
• Василий Курочкин – Счастливец by Василий Kурочкин
• Василий Курочкин – Раздумье by Василий Kурочкин
• Василий Курочкин – Поэту адвокату by Василий Kурочкин
• Василий Курочкин – Ни в мать, ни в отца by Василий Kурочкин

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