Were they that named you, prophets? Did they see, Even in the dew of grace, what you would be? Or did our times require it, to behold A new Susanna, equal to that old? Or, because some scarce think that story true, To make those faithful, did the Fates send you? And to your scene lent no less dignity Of birth, of match, of form, of chastity? Or, more than born for the comparison Of former age, or glory of our own, Were you advanced, past those times, to be The light, and mark unto posterity? Judge they, that can: here I have raised to show A picture, which the world for yours must know, And like it too; if they look equally: If not, 'tis fit for you, some should envy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A WOMAN by KENNETH SLADE ALLING FELIX OPPORTUNITATE MORTIS by ALFRED AUSTIN IN ANSWER TO QUESTION FROM GREEK GRAMMAR: WHAT FUTURES SPEAK by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE WATER-SPRINGS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET A CHAUNT IN PRAISE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |