Classic and Contemporary Poetry
UPON SAMUEL WARD, D.D., THE LADY MARGARET'S PROFESSOR IN CAMBRIDGE, by JOHN HALL (1627-1656) Poet's Biography First Line: Were't not peculiar to weep for thee Last Line: But the sweet breathing smoke still upward go. Alternate Author Name(s): Hall Of Durham, John Subject(s): Cambridge University; Puritans; Teaching & Teachers; Ward, Samuel (d. 1643); Educators; Professors | ||||||||
WERE'T not peculiar to weep for thee, The world might put on mourning, and yet be Below just grief: Stupendous man! who told By vast endowments that she grew not old. But thine own hands have rais'd a monument Far greater than thyself, which shall be spent When error conquers truth, and time shall be No more, but swallow'd by eternity; But when shall sullen darkness fly away, And thine own ectype, Brownrigg, give it day! Or when shall ravish'd Europe understand, How much she lost by thee, and by it gain'd! How well thou guardest truth! How swift to close With whatsoever champion durst oppose! Bear witness, Dort, when error could produce The strength of reason and Arminius, How did he loose their knots, how break their snares, How meet their minings, how pluck up their tares! How did his calmer voice speak thunder! How His soft affections holy fury grow! That had but hell and tyrants any room, There wanted nothing of a martyrdom. But Providence said no, and did consent That oil of time should not be spilt, but spent; Nay, as the greatest flame doth ever fly From failing lamps, should'st in most glory die; And as the Phoenix when she doth prepare To be her own both murderer and heir, Makes richest spice her tomb and cradle be, To quit and reassume mortality, Even so thou (Seraph!) spent thy minutes all, In preparation for thy funeral, And rais'd so great a pile, death could aspire No greater honour than to put to fire; That thus the flame might lend us light below, But the sweet breathing smoke still upward go. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CORRESPONDENCE-SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR SAYS GOODBYE TO HIS POETRY STUDENTS by GALWAY KINNELL GRATITUDE TO OLD TEACHERS by ROBERT BLY TWO RAMAGES FOR OLD MASTERS by ROBERT BLY ON FLUNKING A NICE BOY OUT OF SCHOOL by JOHN CIARDI HER MONOLOGUE OF DARK CREPE WITH EDGES OF LIGHT by NORMAN DUBIE OF POLITICS, & ART by NORMAN DUBIE SEVERAL MEASURES FOR THE LITTLE LOST by NORMAN DUBIE A BURNING GLASS by JOHN HALL (1627-1656) |
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