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The Shorter Poems of Ralph Knevet

A Critical Edition by Amy M. Charles
Knevet, Ralph (1600-1671)

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[section]
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ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΟΝ.
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RHODON AND IRIS.
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FUNERALL ELEGIES;
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A GALLERY TO THE TEMPLE.
  
[dedication]
  
The Dedication
 1. 
[1] The Incarnation.
 2. 
[2] The Passion
 3. 
[3] The Deprecation
 4. 
[4] Solitude
 5. 
[5] Resolution
 6. 
[6] Blindnes
 7. 
[7] The Newyeares Gift
 8. 
[8] Sciences
 9. 
[9] Teares
 10. 
[10] Securitye
 11. 
[11] The Bankrupte
 12. 
[12] Griefe
 13. 
[13] Truth
 14. 
[14] The Vote
 15. 
[15] The Antiphon
 16. 
[16] Crosses
 17. 
[17] The Sute
 18. 
[18] Hypocrisie
 19. 
[19] The Conception
 20. 
[20] The Habitation
 21. 
[21] The Dialogue
 22. 
[22] Vanitye
 23. 
[23] The Apparition
 24. 
[24] The Rocke
 25. 
[25] Bounty
 26. 
[26] The Navigation
 27. 
[27] The Apologye
 28. 
[28] Infirmitye
 29. 
[29] Contrition
 30. 
[30] The Progresse
 31. 
[31] Neclect
 32. 
[32] The Treasure
 33. 
[33] Jordan
 34. 
[34] Prodigyes
 35. 
[35] Infinitenes
 36. 
[36] The Descension
 37. 
[37] Unconstancye
 38. 
[38] Devotion
 39. 
[39] The Bottle
 40. 
[40] The Deliverance
 41. 
[41] The Triumphe
 42. 
[42] The Extremes
 43. 
[43] The Feast
 44. 
[44] Weakenes
 45. 
[45] The Lamentation
 46. 
[46] Sanctification
 47. 
[47] The Pedigree
 48. 
[48] Peace
 49. 
[49] The Nosegay
 50. 
[50] The Pilgrimage
 51. 
[51] The Transmutation
 52. 
[52] The Burthen
 53. 
[53] Ostentation
 54. 
[54] The Race
 55. 
[55] Vivacitye
 56. 
[56] Hardnes
 57. 
[57] Intemperance
 58. 
[58] The Combate
 59. 
[59] The Echo
 60. 
[60] Moderation
 61. 
[61] The Prodigall
 62. 
[62] The Harpe
 63. 
[63] The Mistake
 64. 
[64] The Terrours
 65. 
[65] The Tempest
 66. 
[66] Conversion
 67. 
[67] The Refuge
 68. 
[68] The Mansion
 69. 
[69] The Imprese
 70. 
[70] Knowledge
 71. 
[71] Prayer
 72. 
[72] Sicknes
 73. 
[73] The World
 74. 
[74] Preacheing
 75. 
[75] Memorye
 76. 
[76] Simplicitye
 77. 
[77] Self-Love
 78. 
[78] The Hermite
 79. 
[79] Retribution
 80. 
[80] Remorse
  
L'Envoy

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[77] Self-Love

Self love's th' Arcadian streame,
A brittle Lookeinglasse,
A transitory dreame,
391

Of what nor is, nor shall ere come to passe.
How doth it falsifye the face
Of our abilityes, and make us seeme
Cedars, that are but grasse.
The poisno'us Cockatrice,
If shee chance to surveye
Her owne effigies,
In a cleare Mirroir, doth her owne self slay:
So while wee prye in thee all day,
Doteing upon our selves, with partiall eyes,
Our lives wee weare away.
The crooked Camel loves
The troubled Element,
With Spongye heele Hee moves
The fluide water, and strives to prevent
The sight of what Hee disapproves,
Then with asswaged thirst, and well content,
Hee through the deserts roves.
Thus seemes it better farre,
Not to behold, or see
How wee deformed are,
Then foolishly enamourd for to bee
Of what to us may appeare rare:
But rather like blind Owles, then Camells wee,
Thinke our deform'dnes faire.
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