Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LUCRETIA BORGIA'S LAST LETTER, by ANTOINETTE DE COURSEY PATTERSON Poet's Biography First Line: Before me shine the words of her last letter Last Line: That could mix poison and write words like these. Subject(s): Borgia, Lucrezia [lucretia] (1480-1519) | ||||||||
Before me shine the words of her last letter -- Lucrezia Borgia to the Pope at Rome -- Wherein she begs, as life's remaining fetter Slips from her, that his prayers will guide her home: The favor God has shown to me confessing, As swift my end approaches, Father, I, A Christian though a sinner, ask your blessing And kiss your feet in all humility. The thought of death brings no regret, but pleasure; And after the last sacrament great peace Will be mine own -- in overflowing measure, If but your mercy marks my soul's release. And here the letter finds a sudden ending, As though the dying hand had lost its power: My children to Rome's love and care commending -- Ferrara -- Friday -- at the fourteenth hour. An odor as of incense faintly lingers About the page of saintly sophistries -- And I am thinking clever were the fingers That could mix poison and write words like these. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON LUCRETIA BORGIA'S HAIR by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR LUCREZIA BORGIA (1480-1519) by ELIZABETH MAYER A DREAM-POEM by ANTOINETTE DE COURSEY PATTERSON FOLK SONG - FROM THE DANISH by ANTOINETTE DE COURSEY PATTERSON IN A MOONLIT GARDEN by ANTOINETTE DE COURSEY PATTERSON THE SOUVENIR by ANTOINETTE DE COURSEY PATTERSON BALLADE OF DEAD FRIENDS by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON A SKETCH by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM by ROBERT SOUTHEY |
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