Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 14, by THOMAS CAMPION Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As by the streams of babylon Last Line: And 'gainst the stones dash out their brains! Subject(s): Jerusalem; Travel | ||||||||
As by the streams of Babylon Far from our native soil we sat, Sweet Sion, thee we thought upon, And every thought a tear begat. Aloft the trees, that spring up there Our silent harps we pensive hung: Said they that captived us, 'Let's hear Some song, which you in Sion sung!' Is then the song of our God fit To be profaned in foreign land? O Salem, thee when I forget, Forget his skill may my right hand! Fast to the roof cleave may my tongue, If mindless I of thee be found! Or if, when all my joys are sung, Jerusalem be not the ground! Remember, Lord, how Edom's race Cried in Jerusalem's sad day, 'Hurl down her walls, her towers deface, And, stone by stone, all level lay!' Curst Babel's seed! for Salem's sake Just ruin yet for thee remains! Blest shall they be thy babes that take And 'gainst the stones dash out their brains! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RICHARD, WHAT'S THAT NOISE? by RICHARD HOWARD LOOKING FOR THE GULF MOTEL by RICHARD BLANCO RIVERS INTO SEAS by LYNDA HULL DESTINATIONS by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE ONE WHO WAS DIFFERENT by RANDALL JARRELL THE CONFESSION OF ST. JIM-RALPH by DENIS JOHNSON SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES WHERE THE TRACK VANISHES by GALWAY KINNELL A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 9 by THOMAS CAMPION |
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