Curst be that wretch (Death's Factor sure) who brought Dire Swords into the peacefull world, and taught Smiths, who before could onely make The Spade, the Plowshare, and the Rake; Arts, in most cruell wise Man's life t'epitomize. 2. Then men (fond men alas) rid post to th' grave, And cut those threads, which yet the Fates would save: Then Charon sweated at his trade, And had a bigger Ferry made; Then, then the silver hayre, Frequent before, grew rare. 3. Then revenge married to ambition, Begat blacke Warre; then avarice crept on. Then limits to each field were strain'd, And Terminus a Godhead gain'd. To men before was found, Besides the Sea, no bound. 4. In what Playne or what River hath not beene Warre's story, writ in blood (sad story) seene? This truth too well our England knowes, 'Twas civill slaughter dy'd her Rose: Nay then her Lilne too, With blood's losse paler grew. 5. Such griefes, nay worse than these, wee now should feele, Did not just Charles silence the rage of steele? He to our Land blest peace doth bring, All neighbour Countries envying. Happy who did remaine Vnborne till Charles his reigne! 6. Where dreaming Chimicks is your paine and cost? How is your oyle, how is your labour lost? Our Charles, blest Alchymist (though strange, Beleeve it future times) did change The Iron age of old, Into an age of Gold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUCOLIC COMEDY: THE BEAR by EDITH SITWELL PINE-TREES AND THE SKY: EVENING by RUPERT BROOKE THE COCK AND THE BULL by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY A BALLAD OF ATHLONE; OR, HOW THEY BROKE DOWN THE BRIDGE by AUBREY THOMAS DE VERE THE NEED OF BEING VERSED IN COUNTRY THINGS by ROBERT FROST |