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George Herbert
Jordan

Who says that fictions only and false hair
    Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauty?
     Is all good structure in a winding stair?
     May no lines pass, except they do their duty
         Not to a true, but painted chair?

     Is it no verse, except enchanted groves
     And sudden arbours shadow coarse-spun lines?
     Must purling streams refresh a lover's loves?
     Must all be veil'd, while he that reads, divines,
       Catching the sense at two removes?

   Shepherds are honest people; let them sing;
   Riddle who list, for me, and pull for prime;
   I envy no man's nightingale or spring;
   Nor let them punish me with loss of rhyme,
       Who plainly say, my God, my King.



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