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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NON OMNIS MORIAR by JOHN ORLEY ALLEN TATE

Poet Analysis

First Line: I ASK YOU: HAS THE SINGER SUNG
Last Line: DEATH FRAMES THE SINGER AND THE SONG.
Subject(s): DEATH; DRAMATISTS; FORD, JOHN (1586-1639); MARLOWE, CHRISTOPHER (1564-1593); PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS; POETRY & POETS; DEAD, THE;

I ask you: Has the Singer sung
The drear quintessence of the Song?
John Ford knew more than I of death,
John Ford to death has passed along.

I ask you: Has the Singer said
Whereof his greatness is not dust?
Marlowe went muttering to death
When he had done with song and lust.

And so I speak no other word,
Nor ask where to go the jaunty throng,
For laughter frames the lips of death -
Death frames the Singer and the Song.





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