Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AN EPITAPH ON M.H., by CHARLES COTTON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In this cold monument lies one Last Line: To seek new lechery in death. Subject(s): Epitaphs; Mourning; Bereavement | ||||||||
In this cold monument lies one, That I knew who has lain upon, The happier He: her sight would charm, And touch have kept King David warm. Lovely, as is the dawning East, Was this marble's frozen guest; As soft, and snowy, as that down Adorns the blow-ball's frizzled crown; As straight and slender as the crest, Or antlet of the one-beam'd beast; Pleasant as th' odorous month of May: As glorious, and as light as day. Whom I admir'd, as soon as knew, And now her memory pursue With such a superstitious lust, That I could fumble with her dust. She all perfections had, and more, Tempting, as if design'd a whore, For so she was; and since there are Such, I could wish them all as fair. Pretty she was, and young, and wise, And in her calling so precise, That industry had made her prove The sucking school-mistress of love: And Death, ambitious to become Her pupil, left his ghastly home, And, seeing how we us'd her here, The raw-boned rascal ravisht her. Who, pretty soul, resign'd her breath, To seek new lechery in Death. | 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 LAURA SLEEPING; ODE by CHARLES COTTON RESOLUTION OF A POETICAL QUESTION CONCERNING FOUR RURAL SISTERS: 2 by CHARLES COTTON |
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