Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ELEGY UPON THE DEATH OF MR. EDWARD HOLT, by HENRY KING (1592-1669)



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AN ELEGY UPON THE DEATH OF MR. EDWARD HOLT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Whether thy father's, or disease's rage
Last Line: With marks of valour and of loyalty.
Subject(s): Holt, Edward (d. 1643)


WHETHER thy father's, or disease's rage,
More mortal prov'd to thy unhappy age,
Our sorrow needs not question; since the first
Is known for length and sharpness much the worst.
Thy fever yet was kind; which the ninth day
For thy misfortunes made an easy way.
When th' other barbarous and hectic fit,
In nineteen winters did not intermit.

I therefore vainly now not ask thee why
Thou didst so soon in thy youth's mid-way die:
But in my sense the greater wonder make,
Thy long oppressed heart no sooner brake.
Of force must the neglected blossom fall,
When the tough root becomes unnatural,
And to his branches doth that sap deny,
Which them with life and verdure should supply.
For parents' shame, let it forgotten be,
And may the sad example die with thee.

It is not now thy grieved friend's intent
To render thee dull Pity's argument.
Thou hast a bolder title unto fame,
And at Edge Hill thou didst make good the claim;
When, in thy Royal Master's cause and war,
Thy ventur'd life brought off a noble scar.
Nor did thy faithful services desist,
Till death untimely strook thee from the list.

Though in that prouder vault, then, which doth tomb
Thy ancestors, thy body find not room,
Thine own deserts have purchas'd thee a place,
Which more renowned is than all thy race;
For in this earth thou dost ennobled lie
With marks of valour and of loyalty.





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