Classic and Contemporary Poetry
GUALTERUS DANISTONUS AD AMICOS, by MATTHEW PRIOR Poet's Biography First Line: Studious the busy moments to deceive Last Line: Be now cut off, betwixt the grave and thee. Subject(s): Death; Future; Graves; Happiness; Life; Memory; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones; Joy; Delight | ||||||||
STUDIOUS the busy moments to deceive, That flit between the cradle and the grave, I credit what the Grecian dictates say, And Samian sounds o'er Scotia's hills convey. When mortal man resigns his transient breath, The body only I give o'er to death; The parts dissolved and broken frame I mourn: What came from earth I see to earth return. The immaterial part, the ethereal soul, Nor can change vanquish, nor can death control. Glad I release it from its partner's cares, And bid good angels waft it to the stars. Then in the flowing bowl I drown those sighs, Which, spite of wisdom, from our weakness rise. The draught to the dead's memory I commend, And offer to the now immortal friend. But if opposed to what my thoughts approve, Nor Pluto's rage there be, nor power of Jove; On its dark side if thou the prospect take, Grant all forgot beyond black Lethe's lake; In total death suppose the mortal lie, No new hereafter, nor a future sky; Yet bear thy lot content! yet cease to grieve; Why, ere death comes, dost thou forbear to live? The little time thou hast, 'twixt instant now And fate's approach, is all the gods allow; And of this little hast thou ought to spare To sad reflection, and corroding care? The moments past, if thou art wise, retrieve With pleasant memory of the bliss they gave. The present hours in present mirth employ, And bribe the future with the hopes of joy. The future (few or more, howe'er they be) Were destined erst; nor can by fate's decree Be now cut off, betwixt the grave and thee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STUDY OF HAPPINESS by KENNETH KOCH SO MUCH HAPPINESS by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE CROWD CONDITIONS by JOHN ASHBERY I WILL NOT BE CLAIMED by MARVIN BELL THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#21): 1. ABOUT THE DEAD MAN'S HAPPINESS by MARVIN BELL A BETTER ANSWER (TO CHLOE JEALOUS) by MATTHEW PRIOR A DUTCH PROVERB by MATTHEW PRIOR A LETTER TO LADY [MISS] MARGARET-CAVANDISH-HOLLES-HARLEY, WHEN A CHILD by MATTHEW PRIOR |
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