Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, UPON THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF J.K., FIRST BORN OF H.K., by HENRY KING (1592-1669)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

UPON THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF J.K., FIRST BORN OF H.K., by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Blessed spirit, thy infant breath
Last Line: Since what is thy fate now, must once be mine.
Subject(s): Death - Children; Death - Babies


BLESSED Spirit, thy infant breath,
Fitter for the quire of saints
Than for mortals here beneath,
Warbles joys, but mine complaints --
Plaints that spring from that great loss
Of thy little self, sad cross.
Yet do I still repair thee by desire
Which warms my benumbed sense, but like false fire.

But with such delusive shapes
Still my pensive thoughts are eased,
As birds bating at mock grapes
Are with empty error pleased.
Yet I err not, for decay
Hath but seized thy house of clay,
For lo the lively image of each part
Makes deep impression on my waxy heart.

Thus learn I to possess the thing I want;
Having great store of thee, and yet great scant.
Oh let me thus recall thee, ne'er repine,
Since what is thy fate now, must once be mine.





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