Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO MY LADY BERKELEY, AFFLICTED UPON HER SON ... SEA-SERVICE, by ANNE KILLIGREW Poet's Biography First Line: So the renowned ithacensian queen Last Line: Of your high vertue, and his memory. Alternate Author Name(s): Killegrew, Anne Subject(s): Children; Navy - Great Britain; Childhood; English Navy | ||||||||
SO the renowned Ithacensian Queen In Tears for her Telemachus was seen, When leaving Home, he did attempt the Ire Of rageing Seas, to seek his absent Sire: Such bitter Sighs her tender Breast did rend; But had she known a God did him attend, And would with Glory bring him safe again, Bright Thoughts would then have dispossess't her Pain. Ah Noblest Lady! You that her excel In every Vertue, may in Prudence well Suspend your Care; knowing what power befriends Your Hopes, and what on Vertue still attends. In bloody Conflicts he will Armour find, In strongest Tempests he will rule the Wind, He will through Thousand Dangers force a way, And still Triumphant will his Charge convey. And the All-ruling power that can act thus, Will safe return your Dear Telemachus. Alas, he was not born to live in Peace, Souls of his Temper were not made for Ease, Th' Ignoble only live secure from Harms, The Generous tempt, and seek out fierce Alarms. Huge Labours were for Hercules design'd, Jason, to fetch the Golden Fleece, enjoyn'd, The Minotaure by Noble Theseus dy'd, In vain were Valour, if it were not try'd, Should the admir'd and far-sought Diamond lye, As in its Bed, unpolisht to the Eye, It would be slighted like a common stone, It's Value would be small, its Glory none. But when't has pass'd the Wheel and Cutters hand, Then it is meet in Monarchs Crowns to stand. Upon the Noble Object of your Care Heaven has bestow'd, of Worth, so large a share, That unastonisht none can him behold, Or credit all the Wonders of him told! When others, at his Years were turning o're, The Acts of Heroes that had liv'd before, Their Valour to excite, when time should fit, He then did Things, were Worthy to be writ! Stayd not for Time, his Courage that out-ran In Actions, far before in Years, a Man. Two French Campagnes he boldly courted Fame, While his Face more the Maid, than Youth became Adde then to these a Soul so truly Mild, Though more than Man, Obedient as a Child. And (ah) should one Small Isle all these confine, Vertues created through the World to shine? Heaven that forbids, and Madam so should you; Remember he but bravely does pursue His Noble Fathers steps; with your own Hand Then Gird his Armour on, like him he'll stand, His Countries Champion, and Worthy be Of your High Vertue, and his Memory. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CAPTAIN; A LEGEND OF THE NAVY by ALFRED TENNYSON LORD EXMOUTH'S VICTORY AT ALGIERS, 1816 by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD DER TAG: NELSON AND BEATTY by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES THE LAUNCH OF A FIRST-RATE; WRITTEN ON WITNESSING THE SPECTACLE, 1840 by THOMAS CAMPBELL A BALLAD FOR A BOY by WILLIAM JOHNSON CORY ANNUS MIRABILIS: THE YEAR OF WONDERS, 1666 by JOHN DRYDEN DESCRIPTION OF A NINETY-GUN SHIP by WILLIAM FALCONER THE OLD WARSHIP ABLAZE by JAMES ELROY FLECKER UPON THE SAYING THAT MY VERSES WERE MADE BY ANOTHER by ANNE KILLIGREW |
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