Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DESPERATO'S BANQUET by WILLIAM STRODE

First Line: COME, HEAVY SOULS, OPPRESSED WITH THE WEIGHT
Last Line: SIGH, AND SIGH OUT; GROAN ONCE, AND GROAN NO MORE.
Subject(s): DEATH; SOUL; DEAD, THE;

COME, heavy souls, oppressed with the weight
Of crimes, and pangs, or want of your delight;
Come, drown in Lethe's sleeply Lake,
Whatever makes you ache;
Drink healths from poisoned bowls,
Breathe out your cares together with your souls;
Cool death's a salve
That all may have,
There's no distinction in the grave.
Lay down your loads before death's iron door;
Sigh, and sigh out; groan once, and groan no more.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net