Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BEDLAMITE, by THOMAS MOZEEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BEDLAMITE, by                    
First Line: Tis not on the face displayed, / what I suffer, cruel maid!
Last Line: An angel, now in heaven.
Subject(s): Insanity; Madness; Mental Illness


'TIS not on the face displayed,
What I suffer, cruel maid!
A burning poison lurks unseen:
O ease me; ease my sad chagrin!
See through yon fiery lake, yon flaming flood,
Fierce dragons come to drink my blood.
Why, Jove, dost thou thus set them on?
O what have I done,
My dear, dear, dazzling sun,
That no wind from the sea
Blows tidings to me,
Whilst the tyrant frowns on my throne?

Shall we to the meadows go,
Where the butter-flowers blow,
And the dainty daisies grow?
I say No, no, no, no, no, no.
For lend me a while your ear;
How can I be merry,
Whilst you guzzle sherry,
And I must sip small beer?_____

Give me the reward,
Give me the reward;
And fill the goblet high:
I now the traitor spy;_____
Tread soft and fair,
All light as air,
'Tis my belief,
Yon plantain leaf
Conceals him from your eye.

'Tis a Spaniard on my life!_____
Tawny face_____bloody knife!_____
But let the bells merrily ring;
We have store of great guns,
And fine Chelsea buns,
And the burgundy runs;
And we love and we honour the King.

Nay, be not so harsh with your smiles;
Your frowns are more pleasant to me.
Hark! hearken to puss on the tiles!_____
She's just such a lady as thee.

Ah Fanny! Why dost thou so sadly complain?
Thou canst not sure envy my temperate brain.
Off, off the course,
That damned trotting horse:
I'll hold six to four
You hear on't no more;
For Prussia has beat them again._____

Of reason I held a lease,
But long, very long 't has been out:
O landlord, renew, if you please!
Help, counsellor_____bring it about.
What!_____Nothing without your fees?_____
Ah, tickle me not for a trout._____

How now, saucy Jack;
Why appear'st thou in black?_____
A packet to me, say'st, directed;
Ha! ha! ha! ha!
Bow, enemies, bow!
Or I'll harass you now:
'Tis the comet so long we've expected._____

Nay, soothe me not; for well I know,
To cure my tortured heart of woe
Is not to mortal given:
She only can my sense restore
Who robbed me of it once before;
An angel, now in heaven.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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