The Noble Nature -- Ben Jonson

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Guest poem sent in by Mallika

(Poem #301) The Noble Nature It is not growing like a tree In bulk, doth make man better be; Or standing long an oak, three hundred year, To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere: A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night -- It was the plant and flower of Light. In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures life may perfect be. -- Ben Jonson

This puts into perspective some of the
misplaced energy of our times; prolonging
life - on what terms? To pull the plug
eventually?

The Hippocratic oath was to reduce
suffering, not to play god.

BJ was a contemporary of Shakespeare
and Inigo Jones; he was Poet Laureate
both unofficially and by appointment.

More on BJ at:
http://www.excite.com/entertainment/books_and_literature/authors/last_name_a_z/j/authors_jo/jonson_ben/

Mallika