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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO SAINT CATHERINE by HENRY CONSTABLE

Poem Explanation

First Line: BECAUSE THOU WAST THE DAUGHTER OF A KING
Last Line: AND ANGELS' HANDS THY BODY DID ENTOMB.
Subject(s): CATHERINE OF SIENA, SAINT (1347-1380); BENINCASA, CATERINA;

Because thou wast the daughter of a king,
Whose beauty did all Nature's works exceed,
And wisdom wonder to the world did breed,
A Muse might rouse herself on Cupid's wing;
But, sith the graces which from Nature spring
Were graced by those which from grace did proceed,
And glory have deserved, my Muse doth need
An angel's feathers when thy praise I sing.
For all in thee became angelical:
An angel's face had angels' purity,
And thou an angel's tongue didst speak withal;
Lo! why thy soul, set free by martyrdom,
Was crowned by God in angels' company,
And angels' hands thy body did entomb.



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