Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE MOST DISCONSOLATE GREAT BRITAIN by THOMAS CAMPION

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN PALE FAMINE FED ON THEE
Last Line: YET COULD'ST THOU NOT IN SHOW MORE AMPLY MOURN.
Subject(s): MOURNING; BEREAVEMENT;
1.
WHEN pale famine fed on thee,
With her unsatiate jaws;
When civil broils set murder free
Contemning all thy laws;
When heav'n enraged consumed thee so
With plagues that none thy face could know,
Yet in thy looks affliction then showed less
Than now for one's fate all thy parts express.

2.

Now thy highest states lament
A son, and brother's loss;
Thy nobles mourn in discontent,
And rue this fatal cross;
Thy commons are with passion sad
To think how brave a Prince they had:
If all thy rocks from white to black should turn
Yet could'st thou not in show more amply mourn.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net