Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: 68. ON THE POSTHUMOUS FAME OF DOCTOR JOHNSON, by ANNA SEWARD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: 68. ON THE POSTHUMOUS FAME OF DOCTOR JOHNSON, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Well it becomes thee, britain, to avow
Last Line: But large the spots that darken'd on its sun.
Alternate Author Name(s): Seward, Nancy
Subject(s): Fame; Johnson, Samuel (1709-1784); Reputation


Well it becomes thee, Britain, to avow
JOHNSON'S high claims!—yet boasting that his fires
Were of unclouded lustre, Truth retires
Blushing, and Justice knits her solemn brow;
The eyes of Gratitude withdraw the glow
His moral strain inspired.—Their zeal requires
That thou should'st better guard the sacred Lyres,
Sources of thy bright fame, than to bestow
Perfection's wreath on him, whose ruthless hand,
Goaded by jealous rage, the laurels tore,
That Justice, Truth, and Gratitude demand
Should deck those Lyres till Time shall be no more.—
A radiant course did JOHNSON'S Glory run,
But large the spots that darken'd on its Sun.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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