Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON THE EMBASSY OF LORD OLIVER ST. JOHN TO UNITED PROVINCES, by ANDREW MARVELL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE EMBASSY OF LORD OLIVER ST. JOHN TO UNITED PROVINCES, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Apt names to great men oft we see are given
Last Line: Jerusalem's fate had naught less fine to hinge on.
Subject(s): St. John, Oliver (1598-1673)


Apt names to great men oft we see are given,
Whether by accident, or will of Heaven:
For Chance, though blind, looks through the future ages,
And in a pregnant NAME the truth presages.
So thou, to whom the State commits her voice,
Whether fresh War or Treaties by thy choice,
Not idly thou a doubtful style dost bear,
Whose double meaning will thy part declare.
This threatens War, the other breathes of Peace;
Of Janus' iron locks thou hast the keys.
What need our will on parchment to indite,
And frame accustom'd guille with cunning sleight?
Thy NAME's an embassy, though void of speech,
As by a secret scroll our terms to teach.
Say, Dutchmen, is it Oliver or St. John?
Jerusalem's fate had naught less fine to hinge on.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net