Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN ARGUMENT FOR DAVID'S BELIEF OF A FUTURE STATE, by JOHN BYROM Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: If david knew not of a future life Last Line: Now give as plain an answer thereupon. Subject(s): Courts & Courtiers; David (d. 962 B.c.); Future Life; Salvation; Royal Court Life; Royalty; Kings; Queens; Retribution; Eternity; After Life | ||||||||
IF David knew not of a future life, How understood he Bathsheba, his wife? Who, when he lay upon his death-bed, came To plead for Solomon's succeeding claim; And, having prosper'd in her own endeavour, SaidLet my Lord, King David, Live for ever! What real wish was Bathsheba's intent, If life hereafter was not what she meant? Say thatfor everto a king in health, Meant "a long life, prosperity, and wealth;" To one that lay a dying, you must own, 'Twould be a mere burlesque upon his throne. If she had pray'd for David's mild release, Or"Let my Lord, the King, depart in peace!" (Tho', even then, 'twere difficult to stint Her utmost thought to so minute a hint,) The short-liv'd comment might have some pretence, ButLive for ever!has no sort of sense, Unless we grant her meaning to extend To future life that never has an end: Piety will, and reason must, confess, That her intention could be nothing less: King, live for ever!andGod save the King! Old or new phrase, salvation is the thing. No poor salvation to be quickly past, And with a deadly exit at the last; To which, when David was so near, what share Could he enjoy of Live for ever's pray'r, Had he not known what Bathsheba design'd, A life to come, of everlasting kind? Tho' num'rous proofs might, readily, be brought That this was always holy David's thought; Yet since by learned and long-winded ways, Men seek to break the force of ancient phrase, I single out this plain, familiar one Now give as plain an answer thereupon. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IKON: THE HARROWING OF HELL by DENISE LEVERTOV LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR UNABLE TO FIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS 3 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 1 by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE AFTERLIFE: LETTER TO STEPHEN DOBYNS: 2 by HAYDEN CARRUTH WRITING IN THE AFTERLIFE by BILLY COLLINS A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (2) by JOHN BYROM |
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