Don Surly, to aspire the glorious name <br /> Of a great man, and to be thought the same, <br />Makes serious use of all great trade he know. <br /> He speaks to men with a Rhinocerotes' nose, <br />Which he thinks great; and so reads verses too, <br /> And that is done as he saw great men do. <br />He has timpanies of business in his face, <br /> And can forget men's names with a great grace. <br />He will both argue and discourse in oaths, <br /> Both which are great; and laugh at ill-made clothes- <br />That's greater yet-to cry his own up neat. <br /> He doth, at meals, alone his pheasant eat, <br />Which is main greatness; and at his still board <br /> He drinks to no man; that's, too, like a lord. <br />He keeps another's wife, which is a spice <br /> Of solemn greatness. And he dares, at dice, <br />Blaspheme God greatly, or some poor hind beat <br /> That breathes in his dog's way; and this is great. <br />Nay more, for greatness' sake, he will be one <br /> May hear my epigrams, but like of none, <br />Surly, use other arts; these only can <br /> Style thee a most great fool, but no great man.<br /><br />Ben Jonson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-don-surly/
