Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON MR. SHIRLEY'S POEMS, by THOMAS STANLEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: When, dearest friend, thy verse doth re-inspire Last Line: And poetry by this increase grow less. Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Shirley, James (1596-1666) | ||||||||
WHEN, dearest friend, thy verse doth re-inspire Love's pale decaying torch with brighter fire, Whilst everywhere thou dost dilate thy flame, And to the world spread thy Odelia's name, The justice of all ages must remit To her the prize of Beauty, thee of Wit. Then, like some skilful artist, that to wonder Framing a piece, displeas'd, takes it asunder, Thou Beauty dost depose, her charms deny, And all the mystic chains of Love untie: Thus thy diviner Muse a power 'bove Fate May boast, that can both make and uncreate. Next thou call'st back to life that love-sick boy, To the kind-hearted nymphs less fair than coy, Who, by reflex beams burnt with vain desire, Did, Phoenix-like, in his own flames expire: But should he view his shadow drawn by thee, He with himself once more in love would be. Echo (who though she words pursue, her haste Can only overtake and stop the last) Shall her first speech and human veil obtain To sing thy softer numbers o'er again. Thus, into dying poetry, thy Muse Doth full perfection and new life infuse; Each line deserves a laurel, and thy praise Asks not a garland, but a grove of bays; Nor can ours raise thy lasting trophies higher, Who only reach at merit to admire. But I must chide thee, friend: how canst thou be A patron, yet a foe to poetry? For while thou dost this age to verse restore, Thou dost deprive the next of owning more; And hast so far e'en future aims surpast, That none dare write: thus being first and last, All, their abortive Muses will suppress, And poetry by this increase grow less. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNETS ON ENGLISH DRAMATIC POETS: 14. JAMES SHIRLEY by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE A DEPOSITION FROM BEAUTY by THOMAS STANLEY ANSWER TO 'SONG' BY M. W. M. by THOMAS STANLEY ANSWER TO 'THE UNION' BY WILLIAM FAIRFAX by THOMAS STANLEY ANSWER TO 'TO A BLIND MAN IN LOVE' by THOMAS STANLEY CELIA SINGING by THOMAS STANLEY CHANG'D, YET CONSTANT by THOMAS STANLEY |
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