Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A DIRGE UPON THE DEATH OF THE VALIANT LORD, BERNARD STUART, by ROBERT HERRICK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A DIRGE UPON THE DEATH OF THE VALIANT LORD, BERNARD STUART, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hence, hence, profane; soft silence let us have
Last Line: Lesse in these marble stones, then in thy story.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


1. Hence, hence, profane; soft silence let us have;
While we this Trentall sing about thy Grave.

2. Had Wolves or Tigers seen but thee,
They wo'd have shew'd civility;
And in compassion of thy yeeres,
Washt those thy purple wounds with tears.
But since th'art slaine; and in thy fall,
The drooping Kingdome suffers all.

Chor. This we will doe; we'll daily come
And offer Tears upon thy Tomb:
And if that they will not suffice,
Thou shalt have soules for sacrifice.

Sleepe in thy peace, while we with spice perfume thee,
And Cedar wash thee, that no times consume thee.

3. Live, live thou dost, and shalt; for why?
Soules doe not with their bodies die:
Ignoble off-springs, they may fall
Into the flames of Funerall:
When as the chosen seed shall spring
Fresh, and for ever flourishing.

Cho. And times to come shall, weeping, read thy glory,
Lesse in these Marble stones, then in thy story.





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