BEN JOHNSON 1572-1637

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HAVE YOU SEEN BUT A BRIGHT LILY GROW?

Have you seen but a bright lily grow

Before rude hands have touched it?

Have you marked but the fall of snow

Before the soil hath smutched it?

Have you felt the wool of beaver,

Or swan's down ever?

Or have smelt o' the bud o' the brier,

Or the nard in the fire?

Or have tasted the bag of the bee?

O so white, O so soft, O so sweet is she! 

Ben Johnson, the English poet, playwright, actor and literary critic, was an outstanding influence on English poetry and stage comedy. He is best known for his satirical plays such as "The Alchemist" and "Volpone."

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