Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EPITAPH ON NIOBE TURNED TO STONE by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: THIS PILE THOU SEEST BUILT OUT OF FLESH, NOT STONE
Last Line: IS NEITHER TOMB NOR BODY, AND YET BOTH.
Subject(s): EPITAPHS; NIOBE;
THIS pile thou seest built out of flesh, not stone,
Contains no shroud within, nor mould'ring bone.

This bloodless trunk is destitute of tomb
Which may the soul-fled mansion enwomb.

This seeming sepulchre (to tell the troth)
Is neither tomb nor body, and yet both.



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