Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: TO THEOPHILUS HOWARD, by THOMAS CAMPION



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MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: TO THEOPHILUS HOWARD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: If to be sprung of high and princely blood
Last Line: She'll strive to raise you with a loftier song.
Subject(s): Howard, Theophilus. 2d Earl Of Suffolk


IF to be sprung of high and princely blood,
If to inherit virtue, honour, grace,
If to be great in all things, and yet good,
If to be facile, yet t' have power and place,
If to be just, and bountiful, may get
The love of men, your right may challenge it.

The course of foreign manners far and wide,
The courts, the countries, cities, towns and state,
The blossom of your springing youth hath tried,
Honoured in every place and fortunate,
Which now grown fairer doth adorn our Court
With princely revelling and timely sport.

But if th' admired virtues of your youth
Breed such despairing to my daunted muse,
That it can scarcely utter naked truth,
How shall it mount as ravished spirits use
Under the burden of your riper days,
Or hope to reach the so far distant bays?

My slender Muse shall yet my love express,
And by the fair Thames' side of you she'll sing;
The double streams shall bear her willing verse
Far hence with murmur of their ebb and spring.
But if you favour her light tunes, ere long
She'll strive to raise you with a loftier song.





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