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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE WORLD by THOMAS CAMPION

Poet Analysis

First Line: O POOR DISTRACTED WORLD PARTLY A SLAVE
Last Line: IN THINE EXPECT THE HOPES WERE RIPE IN THEE.
Subject(s): MOURNING; BEREAVEMENT;
1.

O POOR distracted world, partly a slave
To pagans' sinful rage, partly obscured
With ignorance of all the means that save!
And ev'n those parts of thee that live assured
Of heavenly grace, oh how they are divided
With doubts late by a kingly pen decided!
O happy world, if what the sire begun
Had been closed up by his religious son!

2.

Mourn all you souls oppressed under the yoke
Of Christian-hating Thrace! never appeared
More likelihood to have that black league broke,
For such a heavenly Prince might well be feared
Of earthly fiends. Oh how is Zeal inflamed
With power, when Truth wanting defence is shamed!
O princely soul, rest thou in peace, while we
In thine expect the hopes were ripe in thee.



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