In Time of Pestilence
Thomas Nashe 1567 (Lowestoft) – 1601
ADIEU, farewell earth's bliss!
This world uncertain is:
Fond are life's lustful joys,
Death proves them all but toys.
None from his darts can fly;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade;
All things to end are made;
The plague full swift goes by;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
Beauty is but a flower
Which wrinkles will devour;
Brightness falls from the air;
Queens have died young and fair;
Dust hath closed Helen's eye;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave;
Swords may not fight with fate;
Earth still holds ope her gate;
Come, come! the bells do cry;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness;
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
Haste therefore each degree
To welcome destiny;
Heaven is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage.
Mount we unto the sky;
I am sick, I must die--
Lord, have mercy on us!
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:06 min read
- 94 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | axbbcCD eeffcCD gghhcCD iijjcCD adgxcCD kkxxcCD |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic trimeter |
Characters | 1,147 |
Words | 214 |
Stanzas | 6 |
Stanza Lengths | 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 |
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"In Time of Pestilence" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/36962/in-time-of-pestilence>.
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