Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DIVINE POEMS: THE ERMINE, by JOHN HALL (1627-1656) Poet's Biography First Line: The ermine rather chose to die Last Line: By a secure contemning it. Alternate Author Name(s): Hall Of Durham, John Subject(s): Religion; Theology | ||||||||
THE Ermine rather chose to die A martyr of its purity, Than that one uncouth soil should stain Its hitherto preserved skin; And thus resolv'd she thinks it good To write her whiteness in her blood. But I had rather die, than e'er Continue from my foulness clear; Nay, I suppose by that I live, That only doth destruction give: Madman I am, I turn mine eye On every side, but what doth lie Within, I can no better find Than if I ever had been blind. Is this the reason thou dost claim Thy sole prerogative, to frame Engines against thyself? O, fly Thyself as greatest enemy, And think thou sometimes life will get By a secure contemning it. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A BURNING GLASS by JOHN HALL (1627-1656) |
|