Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GO THOU, by JOHN FREEMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GO THOU, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Put off thy beauty now, as trees their leaves
Last Line: Tingling amid my boughs are only life.
Subject(s): Beauty; Life; Nature


PUT off thy beauty now, as trees their leaves,
Put out thy heavenliness, as the dawn her stars,
That gentleness put by and now speak justice.
Malignant enemies murmur and in this heart
The old treasons stir and whisper, Thou hast denied!
That gentleness put by, that, seeing thee now,
The justice and the anger of thine eyes
Falling upon these treasons may consume them
And quench the smile, still the fond hand and plant
Strength where this weakness was.
For beauty sickens
When strength and honour wane. I am sick of beauty
And April sweetness, when bare January
Hides what I need of strength, and naked winds
Tingling amid my boughs are only life.





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