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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 32. EXECUTION JOAN OF KENT by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE TEARS OF MAN IN VARIOUS MEASURE GUSH
Last Line: TO PEN THE MANDATES, NATURE DOTH DISOWN.
Subject(s): EDWARD VI, KING OF ENGLAND (1537-1553);

THE tears of man in various measure gush
From various sources; gently overflow
From blissful transport some -- from clefts of woe
Some with ungovernable impulse rush;
And some, coeval with the earliest blush
Of infant passion, scarcely dare to show
Their pearly lustre -- coming but to go;
And some break forth when others' sorrows crush
The sympathising heart. Nor these, nor yet
The noblest drops to admiration known,
To gratitude, to injuries forgiven --
Claim Heaven's regard like waters that have wet
The innocent eyes of youthful Monarchs driven
To pen the mandates, nature doth disown.



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