Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UPON THE KING'S CORONATION (2), by RICHARD CRASHAW


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UPON THE KING'S CORONATION (2), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Strange metamorphosis! It was but now
Last Line: All melancholy clowds vanisht away.
Subject(s): Metamorphosis


Strange Metamorphosis! It was but now
The sullen heaven had vail'd its mournfull brow
With a black maske: the clouds with child by greife
Traveld th' Olympian plaines to find releife.
But at the last (having not soe much powe'r
As to refraine) brought forth a costly shower
Of pearly drops, and sent her numerous birth
(As tokens of her greife) unto the earth.
Alas, the earth, quite drunke with teares, had reel'd
From of her center, had not Jove upheld
The staggering lumpe: each eye spent all its store,
As if heereafter they would weepe noe more.
Streight from this sea of teares there does appear
Full glory flaming in her owne free sphaere.
Amazed Sol throwes of his mournfull weeds
Speedily harnessing his fiery steeds,
Up to Olympus stately topp he hies,
From whence his glorious rivall hee espies.
Then wondring starts, and had the curteous night
Withheld her vaile, h' had forfeited his sight.
The joyfull sphaeres with a delicious sound
Affright th' amazed aire, and dance a round
To their owne Musick, nor (untill they see
This glorious Phaebus sett) will quiet bee.
Each aery Siren now hath gott her song,
To whom the merry lambes doe tripp along
The laughing meades, as joyfull to behold
Their winter coates cover'd with flaming gold.
Such was the brightnesse of this Northerne starre,
It made the Virgin Phoenix come from farre
To be repaird: hither she did resort,
Thinking her father had remov'd his court.
The lustre of his face did shine soe bright,
That Rome's bold Eagles now were blinded quite,
The radiant darts, shott from his sparkling eyes,
Made every mortall gladly sacrifice
A heart burning in love; all did adore
This rising sunne. Their faces nothing wore,
But smiles, and ruddy joyes, and at this day
All melancholy clowds vanisht away.





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