Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE DEATH OF SIR THOMAS WYATT, by HENRY HOWARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE DEATH OF SIR THOMAS WYATT, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Wyatt resteth here that quick could never rest
Last Line: The earth his bones, the heavens possess his ghost.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surrey, Earl Of
Variant Title(s): Tribute To Wyatt;an Excellent Epitaph Of Sir Thomas Wyatt
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Wyatt, Sir Thomas (1503-1542)


Wyatt resteth here, that quick [living] could never rest;
Whose heavenly gifts increased by disdain,
And virtue sank the deeper in his breast;
Such profit he of envy could obtain.
A head where wisdom mysteries did frame,
Whose hammers beat still in that lively brainn
As on a stithy, where some work did frame,
Was daily wrought, to turn to Britain's gain.
A visage stern and mild, where both did grow,
Vice to contemn, in virtues to rejoice,
Amid great storms, whom grace assured so,
To live upright, and smile at fortune's choice.
A hand that taught what might be said in rhyme;
That reft Chaucer the glory of his wit;
A mark, the which - unperfited, for time --
Some may approach, but never none shall hit.
A tongue that served in foreign realms his king;
Whose courteous talk to virtue did enflame
Each noble heart; a worthy guide to bring
Our English youth, by travail, unto fame.
An eye whose judgment no affect could blind.
Friends to allure, and foes to reconcile;
Whose piercing look did represent a mind
With Virtue fraught, reposed, void of guile.
A heart where dread yet never so impressed
To hide the thought that might the truth advance;
In neither fortune lost, nor so repressed,
To swell in wealth, nor yield unto mischance.
A valiant corps, where force and beauty met,
Happy, alas! too happy, but for foes,
Lived, and ran the race that nature set;
Of manhood's shape, where the mold did lose.
But to the heavens that simple soul is fled,
Which left with such as covet Christ to know
Witness of faith that never shall be dead,
Sent for our health, but not received so.
Thus, for our guilt, this jewel we have lost;
The earth his bones, the heavens possess his ghost.





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