Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY MIDNIGHT MEDITATION by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: ILL-BUSIED MAN! WHY SHOULDST THOU TAKE SUCH CARE
Last Line: THERE IS BUT ONE, AND THAT ONE EVER.
Subject(s): KING, JOHN. BISHOP OF LONDON (D. 1621); MORTALITY;
Ill busied man! why should'st thou take such care
To lengthen out thy lifes short Kalendar?
When ev'ry spectacle thou lookst upon
Presents and acts thy execution.
Each drooping season and each flower doth cry,
Fool! as I fade and wither, thou must dy.
Can there be any day but this,
Though many sunnes to shine endeavour?
We count three hundred, but we misse;
There is but one, and that one ever.



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