Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


INVOKES DEATH by PHILIP AYRES

First Line: COME, TERROR OF THE WISE, AND VALIANT, COME
Last Line: THIS FAVOUR OWE I TO MY MONUMENT.
Subject(s): DEATH; DEAD, THE;

COME, Terror of the wise, and valiant, come,
And with a sigh let my griev'd soul have room
Amongst the shades; then shall my cares be gone;
All there drink Waters of Oblivion.

So went the Heroes of the World, and so
Or soon, or late, all that are born must go;
Thou, Death, to me art welcome as a friend,
For thou with life putt'st to my griefs an end.

Of this poor earth, and blast of breath allied,
How easily by thee the knot's untied:
This spring of tears which trickles from mine eyes
Is natural, and when I die, it dries.

Matter for sighs I drew with my first breath,
And now a sigh ushers my soul to death;
So cares and griefs determine by consent,
This favour owe I to my monument.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net