Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE MOST SCARED KING JAMES, by THOMAS CAMPION Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O grief, how divers are thy shapes wherein men languish Last Line: When we were least aware. Subject(s): James I, King Of England (1566-1625); Mourning; Bereavement | ||||||||
1. O GRIEF, how divers are thy shapes wherein men languish! The face sometime with tears thou fill'st, Sometime the heart thou kill'st With unseen anguish. Sometime thou smilest to view how Fate Plays with our human state: So far from surety here Are all our earthly joys, That what our strong hope builds, when least we fear, A stronger power destroys. 2. O Fate, why shouldst thou take from Kings their joy and treasure? Their image if men should deface 'Twere death, which thou dost race Even at thy pleasure. Wisdom of holy kings yet knows Both what it hath, and owes. Heaven's hostage, which you bred And nursed with such choice care, Is ravished now, great King, and from us fled When we were least aware. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HUNGERFIELD by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE MOURNER by LOUISE MOREY BOWMAN HECUBA MOURNS by MARILYN NELSON THERE IS NO GOD BUT by AGHA SHAHID ALI IF I COULD MOURN LIKE A MOURNING DOVE by FRANK BIDART A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 9 by THOMAS CAMPION |
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