poems

Now, Penshurst, they that will proportion thee

with out edifices, when they see

Those proud, ambitious heaps, and nothing else

May say, their lords have built, but thy lord dwells

-Ben Jonson

I really like this poem about Penshurst. It's almost like living in a fairytale. Where every thing is perfect, even the children. I like this line ^because you can say the same thing about people that Ben in saying about buildings. There are some buildings that look pretty on the outside but when you go inside (or in a persons case get to know them) and it's empty. Just a white washed tomb or shallow personality. It's sad but true and I like Penshurst because it is a hopeful place. It has charm, character , and depth. What Ben is saying is true even more in the religious aspect. People have others gods,like money, they worship it rather then the one true God. Maybe they don't know of him maybe they choose not to care. these things are called idols. Your idol can be anything from your boyfriend/ girlfriend, to you kid, to your car, to food, to whatever the list is anything that you put before God or in place of God that you love and worship. something that you would put you hope in to make you feel good about your self. I think what Ben is saying is that men idolized their huge estates as means of self righteousness but none could compare to Penshurst because God made it. Everyone was looking for Penshurst but none could duplicate it by themselves because righteousness never comes from ones self. no one can duplicate ones relationship with the true God only God can. you can try by filling your life with useless things like money, cars, clothing, video games, beer, men/women but you'll never be satisfied until you find Penshurst.