Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT, by ROBERT SOUTHWELL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Alas! Our day is forced to fly by night
Last Line: Your ditty death, and blood in lieu of words!
Subject(s): Egypt


ALAS! our Day is forced to fly by night!
Light without light, and sun by silent shade.
O nature, blush! that sufferest such a wight
That in thy sun this dark eclipse hath made;
Day to his eyes, light to his steps deny,
That hates the light which graceth every eye.

Sun being fled the stars do less their light,
And shining beams in bloody streams they drench;
A cruel storm of Herod's mortal spite
Their lives and lights with bloody showers doth quench:
The tyrant to be sure of murdering one,
For fear of sparing Him doth pardon none.

O blessed babes! first flower of Christian spring,
Who though untimely cropp'd fair garlands frame,
With open throats and silent mouths you sing
His praise whom age permits you not to name;
Your tunes are tears, your instruments are swords,
Your ditty death, and blood in lieu of words!





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