Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HYMN, by PATRICK CARY Poet's Biography First Line: Whilst I beheld the neck of the dove Last Line: I, too, have all from god. Subject(s): Nature; Pride; God | ||||||||
I WHILST I beheld the neck o' th' dove, I spied and read these words. 'This pretty dye Which takes your eye, Is not at all the bird's. The dusky raven might Have with these colours pleas'd your sight, Had God but chose so to ordain above;' This label wore the dove. II Whilst I admir'd the nightingale, These notes she warbled o'er. 'No melody Indeed have I, Admire me then no more: God has it in His choice To give the owl, or me, this voice; 'Tis He, 'tis He that makes me tell my tale;' This sang the nightingale. III I smelt and prais'd the fragrant rose, Blushing, thus answer'd she. 'The praise you gave, The scent I have, Do not belong to me; This harmless odour, none But only God indeed does own; To be His keepers, my poor leaves He chose;' And thus replied the rose. IV I took the honey from the bee, On th' bag these words were seen. 'More sweet than this Perchance nought is, Yet gall it might have been: If God it should so please, He could still make it such with ease; And as well gall to honey change can He;' This learnt I of the bee. V I touch'd and lik'd the down o' th' swan; But felt these words there writ. 'Bristles, thorns, here I soon should bear, Did God ordain but it; If my down to thy touch Seem soft and smooth, God made it such; Give more, or take all this away, He can;' This was I taught by th' swan. VI All creatures, then, confess to God That th' owe Him all, but I. My senses find True, that my mind Would still, oft does, deny. Hence, Pride! out of my soul! O'er it thou shalt no more control; I'll learn this lesson, and escape the rod: I, too, have all from God. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOUNTAIN IS STRIPPED by DAVID IGNATOW AS CLOSE AS BREATHING by MARK JARMAN UNHOLY SONNET 1 by MARK JARMAN UNHOLY SONNET 13 by MARK JARMAN BIRTH-DUES by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE SILENT SHEPHERDS by ROBINSON JEFFERS GOING TO THE HORSE FLATS by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT PIECE (2) by EDITH SITWELL |
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