TWAS fairly done, Mortalitie, To give a warning peece before the fight. And heer my Thanks I render thee For that Alarm thou gavest me last night. And yet thou cunning art, who by Weaknes thy strength on me dost try. 2 By this light skirmish I am taught What to expect when thou dost charge me home. So kindely that distemper wrought Upon my heart, that she hath reaped from My bodies sicknes, such a crop Of health, as cheers her into hope. 3 Into fair hope that I shall dare To meet thy main battalia, & quit The vain & most ignoble fear Of Deaths assault; whom I desire to set Upon me in the open feild, That so I may with honor yeild. 4 For yeild I must, & will; nor need Death any subtile ambush lay for me: I have no plot to run, & lead That fate a dance which cannot shunned be. Yet by Surrender, might I choose, Not by Surprize, my Life I'd loose. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM by AMY LOWELL VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK by WILLIAM COWPER THE BOATMAN OF KINSALE by THOMAS OSBORNE DAVIS ODES III, 29 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS |