Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE GLOW-WORM, by THOMAS STANLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GLOW-WORM, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Stay, fairest chariessa, stay and mark
Last Line: As to thy greater light a sacrifice.
Subject(s): Fireflies; Glowworms


STAY, fairest Chariessa, stay and mark
This animated gem, whose fainter spark
Of fading light its birth had from the dark.

A Star thought by the erring passenger,
Which falling from its native orb dropt here,
And makes the earth (its centre) now its sphere.

Should many of these sparks together be,
He that the unknown light far off should see,
Would think it a terrestrial Galaxy.

Take 't up, fair Saint; see how it mocks thy fright!
The paler flame doth not yield heat, though light,
Which thus deceives thy reason, through thy sight.

But see how quickly it (ta'en up) doth fade,
To shine in darkness only being made,
By th' brightness of thy light turn'd to a shade;

And burnt to ashes by thy flamjng eyes,
On the chaste altar of thy hand it dies,
As to thy greater light a sacrifice.





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