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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE MONUMENT OF THE MARQUIS OF WINCHESTER by JOHN DRYDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: HE WHO IN IMPIOUS TIMES UNTAINTED STOOD
Last Line: TO EARTH WERE MEANT FOR ORNAMENTS TO HEAV'N.
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; DEATH; MONUMENTS; PAULET, JOHN. 5TH MARQUIS OF WINCHESTER; ROYAL COURT LIFE; ROYALTY; KINGS; QUEENS; DEAD, THE; PAWLETT, JOHN; POULETT, JOHN; POWLETT, JOHN;
HE who in impious times untainted stood
And midst rebellion durst be just and good,
Whose arms asserted, and whose sufferings more
Confirm'd the cause for which he fought before,
Rests here, rewarded by an heavenly prince
For what his earthly could not recompense.
Pray, reader, that such times no more appear;
Or, if they happen, learn true honour here.
Ark of thy age's faith and loyalty,
Which, to preserve them, Heaven confin'd in thee.
Few subjects could a king like thine deserve;
And fewer such a king so well could serve.
Blest king, blest subject, whose exalted state
By sufferings rose and gave the law to fate!
Such souls are rare, but mighty patterns given
To earth were meant for ornaments to Heav'n.



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