Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ELEGY: 2. ON THE DEATH OF THE UNIVERSITY BEADLE, by JOHN MILTON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ELEGY: 2. ON THE DEATH OF THE UNIVERSITY BEADLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thee, whose refulgent staff, & summons clear
Last Line: In every school her sweetest, saddest verse.
Subject(s): Cambridge University


(AT CAMBRIDGE COMPOSED BY MILTON IN THE SEVENTEENTH YEAR OF HIS AGE)

THEE, whose refulgent staff, and summons clear,
Minerva's flock long time was wont to obey,
Although thyself a herald, famous here,
The last of heralds, Death, has snatched away.
He calls on all alike, nor even deigns
To spare the office that himself sustains.

Thy locks were whiter than the plumes displayed
By Leda's paramour in ancient time,
But thou wast worthy ne'er to have decayed,
Or AEson-like to know a second prime,
Worthy, for whom some goddess should have won
New life, oft kneeling to Apollo's son.

Commissioned to convene, with hasty call,
The gowned tribes, how graceful wouldst thou stand!
So stood Cyllenius erst in Priam's hall,
Wing-footed messenger of Jove's command;
And so Eurybates, when he addressed
To Peleus' son Atrides' proud behest.

Dread queen of sepulchres! whose rigorous laws
And watchful eyes run through the realms below;
Oh, oft too adverse to Minerva's cause,
Too often to the Muse not less a foe,
Chuse meaner marks, and with more equal aim
Pierce useless drones, earth's burden and its shame!

Flow, therefore, tears for him, from every eye;
All ye disciples of the Muses, weep!
Assembling all in robes of sable dye,
Around his bier, lament his endless sleep!
And let complaining Elegy rehearse
In every school her sweetest, saddest verse.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net