Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UPON HIS PICTURE, by THOMAS RANDOLPH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON HIS PICTURE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When age hath made me what I am not now
Last Line: Whose shadow is less given to change than he.
Variant Title(s): To My Picture
Subject(s): Portraits; Self


WHEN age hath made me what I am not now:
And every wrinkle tells me where the plough
Of time hath furrowed; when an ice shall flow
Through every vein, and all my head be snow:
When death displays his coldness in my cheek,
And I myself in my own picture seek,
Not finding what I am, but what I was;
In doubt which to believe, this or my glass;
Yet though I alter, this remains the same
As it was drawn: retains the primitive frame
And first complexion; here will still be seen
Blood on the cheek, and down upon the chin.
Here the smooth brow will stay, the lively eye,
The ruddy lip, and hair of youthful dye.
Behold what frailty we in man may see,
Whose shadow is less given to change than he.





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