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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE USURPATION, by ABRAHAM COWLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Thou 'hadst to my soule no title or pretence Last Line: And planted garrisons of thine own. | |||
1. THou 'hadst to my Soule no title or pretence; I was mine owne, and free, 'Till I had giv'n my selfe to Thee; But thou hast kept me Slave and Prisoner since. Well, since so insolent thou'rt grown, Fond Tyrant, I'le depose thee from thy Throne; Such outrages must not admitted be In an Elective Monarchy. 2. Part of my Heart by Gift did to Thee fall; My Country, Kindred, and my best Acquaintance were to share the rest; But thou, their Covetous Neighbour, drav'st out all: Nay more, thou mak'st me worship Thee, And wouldst the rule of my Religion be; Was ever Tyrant claim'd such power as you, To be both Emp'rour, and Pope too? 3. The publick Miseries, and my private fate Deserve some tears: but greedy Thou (Insatiate Maid!) wilt not allow That I one drop from thee should alienate. Nor wilt thou grant my sinnes a part, Though the sole cause of most of them thou art, Counting my Tears thy Tribute and thy Due, Since first mine Eyes I gave to You. 4. Thou all my Joyes, and all my Hopes dost claim, Thou ragest like a Fire in me, Converting all things into Thee; Nought can resist, or not encrease the Flame. Nay every Grief, and every Fear Thou dost devour, unlesse thy stamp it bear. Thy presence, like the crowned Basilisk's breath, All other Serpents puts to death. 5. As Men in Hell are from Diseases free, So from all other Ills am I; Free from their known Formality: But all Pains eminently lye in Thee: Alas, alas, I hope in vain My conquer'd Soul from out thine hands to gain. Since all the Natives there thou 'ast overthrown, And planted Garrisons of thine own. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAINST HOPE by ABRAHAM COWLEY ON THE DEATH OF MR. CRASHAW by ABRAHAM COWLEY ON THE DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM HERVEY by ABRAHAM COWLEY THE CHRONICLE; A BALLAD by ABRAHAM COWLEY TO HIS MISTRESS by ABRAHAM COWLEY A DEDICATORY ELEGY TO THE ... UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE by ABRAHAM COWLEY |
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