Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. ISAAC WALTON ON THE PUBLICATION OF THEALMA, by THOMAS FLATMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MY WORTHY FRIEND MR. ISAAC WALTON ON THE PUBLICATION OF THEALMA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Long had the bright thealma lain obscure
Last Line: And shar'd that immortality he alone could give.
Subject(s): Chalkhill, John (17th Century); Poetry & Poets; Walton, Izaak (1593-1683)


LONG had the bright Thealma lain obscure,
Her beauteous charms that might the world allure
Lay, like rough diamonds in the mine unknown,
By all the sons of Folly trampled on,
Till your kind hand unveil'd her lovely face,
And gave her vigour to exert her rays.
Happy old man! -- whose worth all mankind knows,
Except himself, who charitably shows
The ready road to virtue, and to praise,
The road to many long and happy days;
The noble arts of generous piety,
And how to compass true felicity;
Hence did he learn the art of living well,
The bright Thealma was his Oracle:
Inspir'd by her, he knows no anxious cares,
Through near a century of pleasant years;
Easy he lives, and cheerful shall he die,
Well spoken of by late posterity.
As long as Spenser's noble flames shall burn,
And deep devotions throng about his urn;
As long as Chalkhill's venerable name,
With humble emulation shall inflame
Ages to come, and swell the floods of Fame:
Your memory shall ever be secure,
And long beyond our short-liv'd praise endure;
As Phidias in Minerva's shield did live,
And shar'd that immortality he alone could give.





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