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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE, by ANONYMOUS First Line: Queen jane was in labour Last Line: Lying mouldering away Subject(s): Stillbirth; Death - Childbirth | |||
Queen Jane was in labour Six weeks and some more; The women grew wearied, And the midwife gave o'er. "O women, kind women, I take you to be, Just pierce my right side open And save my baby." "O no," said the women, "That never could be; I'll send for King Henry In the time of your need." King Henry was sent for On horseback and speed; King Henry he reached her In the hour of her need. King Henry he come And he bent o'er the bed: "What's the matter with my flower Makes her eyes look so red?" "O Henry, kind Henry, Pray listen to me, And pierce my right side open And save my baby." "O no," said King Henry, "That never could be, I would lose my sweet flower To save my baby." Queen Jane she turned over And fell in a swound, And her side was pierced open And the baby was found. The baby were christened All on the next day; But its mother's poor body Lay cold as the clay. So black was the mourning, So yellow was the bed, So costly was the white robe Queen Jane was wrapped in. Six men wore their robes, Four carrying her along; King Henry followed after With his black mourning on. King Henry he wept Till his hands was wrung sore. The flower of England Will flourish no more. And the baby were christened All on the next day, And its mother's poor body Lying mouldering away. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ELIZABETH CHILDERS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS ANNIVERSARY by PRIMUS ST. JOHN STILLBIRTH by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR THE FAIREST THING IN MORTAL EYES by CHARLES D'ORLEANS AN ODE UPON A QUESTION WHETHER LOVE SHOULD CONTINUE FOREVER by EDWARD HERBERT OBEDIENCE OF THE CORPSE by CAROLYN D. WRIGHT STILL LIFE by ANNE MILLAY BREMER TIS A LITTLE JOURNEY by ANONYMOUS |
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