Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET, by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Unhappy muse, that nothing pleasest me Last Line: Till tears and words are spent for evermore. Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, William Of Tavistock Subject(s): Grief; Sorrow; Sadness | ||||||||
UNHAPPY Muse, that nothing pleasest me, But tir'st thyself to reap another's bliss, She that as much forbears thy melody, As fearful maidens do the serpent's hiss, Doth she not fly away when I would sing? Or doth she stay, when I with many a tear Keep solemn time to my woes' uttering; And ask what wild birds grant to lend an ear O hapless tongue, in silence ever live, And ye, my founts of tears, forbear supply: Since neither words, nor tears, nor Muse can give Ought worth the pitying such a wretch as I. Grieve to yourselves, if needs you will deplore, Till tears and words are spent for evermore. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONOMA FIRE by JANE HIRSHFIELD AS THE SPARKS FLY UPWARDS by JOHN HOLLANDER WHAT GREAT GRIEF HAS MADE THE EMPRESS MUTE by JUNE JORDAN CHAMBER MUSIC: 19 by JAMES JOYCE DIRGE AT THE END OF THE WOODS by LEONIE ADAMS EPITAPH: IN OBITUM M.S. XO MAIJ, 1614 by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |
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