Scan barcode
brynhammond's review
5.0
A poet/philosopher in the libertine/desperately sceptical tradition. Maybe less philosophical than others and filthier. Filthy verse to tell you about usages past, I mean language use and sexual uses. Autobiographical poetry, although put on, in the how-desperately-wicked-am-I tradition -- as per below:
'The Earl of Rochester's Conference with a Postboy'
Rochester. Son of a whore, God damn you! can you tell
A peerless peer the readiest way to Hell?
I've outswilled Bacchus, sworn of my own make
Oaths would fright Furies, and make Pluto quake;
I've swived more whores more ways than Sodom's walls
E'er knew, or the college of Rome's cardinals.
Witness heroic scars. Look here. Ne'er go!
Cerecloths and ulcers from the top to toe!
Frighted at my own mischiefs, I have fled
And bravely left my life's defender dead;
Broke houses to break chastity, and dyed
That floor with murder which my lust denied.
Pox on't! why do I speak of these poor things?
I have blasphemed my God, and libelled kings!
The readiest way to Hell, boy! Quick!
Boy. Ne'er stir,
The readiest way, My Lord, 's by Rochester.
'The Earl of Rochester's Conference with a Postboy'
Rochester. Son of a whore, God damn you! can you tell
A peerless peer the readiest way to Hell?
I've outswilled Bacchus, sworn of my own make
Oaths would fright Furies, and make Pluto quake;
I've swived more whores more ways than Sodom's walls
E'er knew, or the college of Rome's cardinals.
Witness heroic scars. Look here. Ne'er go!
Cerecloths and ulcers from the top to toe!
Frighted at my own mischiefs, I have fled
And bravely left my life's defender dead;
Broke houses to break chastity, and dyed
That floor with murder which my lust denied.
Pox on't! why do I speak of these poor things?
I have blasphemed my God, and libelled kings!
The readiest way to Hell, boy! Quick!
Boy. Ne'er stir,
The readiest way, My Lord, 's by Rochester.
charlotteannehamilton's review
4.0
[[4.5 stars]]
I had this sitting on my bookshelf for so damn long. I originally found out about John Wilmot through the Johnny Depp movie "The Libertine" and I wanted to read his poetry, so I bought this. Only, I put it on my shelf when I remembered that I wasn't really into poetry.
But then I picked it up for the #TBRTakedown and I'm so glad I did. Don't get me wrong, it didn't cure me of my indifference to poetry, but it's certainly made me consider picking up a few more collection books and such to see if I can get over it.
John Wilmot has a way with words, that is pure and simple. He is funny and witty and sassy, and nothing is too much for him to talk about. He will mock his king, seduce his mistresses, woo his wife, bemoan about man and talk sex. Nothing is off limits to this man.
His poetry is good and funny, and at times just downright thought-provoking you wonder how it came from the mind of a man so young.
His work certainly is not for everyone, especially those who don't like such topics and people like my mother, who don't like the word "cunt". But if you don't tremble with the talk of whores and the disappointment of man, then you are in for some amazing poetry that will leave you reeling.
I had this sitting on my bookshelf for so damn long. I originally found out about John Wilmot through the Johnny Depp movie "The Libertine" and I wanted to read his poetry, so I bought this. Only, I put it on my shelf when I remembered that I wasn't really into poetry.
But then I picked it up for the #TBRTakedown and I'm so glad I did. Don't get me wrong, it didn't cure me of my indifference to poetry, but it's certainly made me consider picking up a few more collection books and such to see if I can get over it.
John Wilmot has a way with words, that is pure and simple. He is funny and witty and sassy, and nothing is too much for him to talk about. He will mock his king, seduce his mistresses, woo his wife, bemoan about man and talk sex. Nothing is off limits to this man.
His poetry is good and funny, and at times just downright thought-provoking you wonder how it came from the mind of a man so young.
His work certainly is not for everyone, especially those who don't like such topics and people like my mother, who don't like the word "cunt". But if you don't tremble with the talk of whores and the disappointment of man, then you are in for some amazing poetry that will leave you reeling.
More...