Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE USURPATION, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE USURPATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou 'hadst to my soule no title or pretence
Last Line: And planted garrisons of thine own.


1.

THou 'hadst to my Soule no title or pretence;
I was mine owne, and free,
'Till I had giv'n my selfe to Thee;
But thou hast kept me Slave and Prisoner since.
Well, since so insolent thou'rt grown,
Fond Tyrant, I'le depose thee from thy Throne;
Such outrages must not admitted be
In an Elective Monarchy.

2.

Part of my Heart by Gift did to Thee fall;
My Country, Kindred, and my best
Acquaintance were to share the rest;
But thou, their Covetous Neighbour, drav'st out all:
Nay more, thou mak'st me worship Thee,
And wouldst the rule of my Religion be;
Was ever Tyrant claim'd such power as you,
To be both Emp'rour, and Pope too?

3.

The publick Miseries, and my private fate
Deserve some tears: but greedy Thou
(Insatiate Maid!) wilt not allow
That I one drop from thee should alienate.
Nor wilt thou grant my sinnes a part,
Though the sole cause of most of them thou art,
Counting my Tears thy Tribute and thy Due,
Since first mine Eyes I gave to You.

4.

Thou all my Joyes, and all my Hopes dost claim,
Thou ragest like a Fire in me,
Converting all things into Thee;
Nought can resist, or not encrease the Flame.
Nay every Grief, and every Fear
Thou dost devour, unlesse thy stamp it bear.
Thy presence, like the crowned Basilisk's breath,
All other Serpents puts to death.

5.

As Men in Hell are from Diseases free,
So from all other Ills am I;
Free from their known Formality:
But all Pains eminently lye in Thee:
Alas, alas, I hope in vain
My conquer'd Soul from out thine hands to gain.
Since all the Natives there thou 'ast overthrown,
And planted Garrisons of thine own.





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