Oh! Mr Best You'Re Very Bad Poem by Jane Austen

Oh! Mr Best You'Re Very Bad

Rating: 3.2


Oh! Mr. Best, you're very bad
And all the world shall know it;
Your base behaviour shall be sung
By me, a tunefull Poet.--
You used to go to Harrowgate
Each summer as it came,
And why I pray should you refuse
To go this year the same?--

The way's as plain, the road's as smooth,
The Posting not increased;
You're scarcely stouter than you were,
Not younger Sir at least.--

If e'er the waters were of use
Why now their use forego?
You may not live another year,
All's mortal here below.--

It is your duty Mr Best
To give your health repair.
Vain else your Richard's pills will be,
And vain your Consort's care.

But yet a nobler Duty calls
You now towards the North.
Arise ennobled--as Escort
Of Martha Lloyd stand forth.

She wants your aid--she honours you
With a distinguished call.
Stand forth to be the friend of her
Who is the friend of all.--

Take her, and wonder at your luck,
In having such a Trust.
Her converse sensible and sweet
Will banish heat and dust.--

So short she'll make the journey seem
You'll bid the Chaise stand still.
T'will be like driving at full speed
From Newb'ry to Speen hill.--

Convey her safe to Morton's wife
And I'll forget the past,
And write some verses in your praise
As finely and as fast.

But if you still refuse to go
I'll never let your rest,
Buy haunt you with reproachful song
Oh! wicked Mr. Best!--

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ratnakar Mandlik 18 June 2016

The flow of the poem is superb.

3 1 Reply
Practicing Poetess 18 March 2019

It sounds as though his decision will determine whether he's lauded or libeled! An interesting write by Jane Austen.

3 0 Reply
Bernard F. Asuncion 18 March 2019

One of the best poems by Jane Austen.........

2 0 Reply
Savita Tyagi 18 March 2019

I know Jane as a great novelist. This is the first time I read her poem.

2 0 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 18 March 2019

Behaviour! ! ! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

1 0 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 16 August 2021

A fantastic poem! My pleasure revisiting this poem loaded with widom in its philosophical dimension.

0 0 Reply
Dr Dillip K Swain 11 May 2021

Absolutely brilliant! Your great ability of story telling is reflected here in the realistic surface.

0 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 18 March 2020

It is really a beautiful poem composed by Jane Austen, the then novelist.

0 0 Reply

A poem worthy to be included in the classic class

0 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 18 March 2020

excellent poem penned; enjoyable

0 0 Reply
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Jane Austen

Jane Austen

Hampshire, England
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