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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET. TO PATIENCE by HENRY KING (1592-1669)

Poet Analysis

First Line: DOWN, STORMY PASSIONS, DOWN; NO MORE
Last Line: WHICH CURES A TEMPEST BY A CALM.
Subject(s): PATIENCE;

DOWN, stormy passions, down; no more
Let your rude waves invade the shore
Where blushing reason sits, and hides
Her from the fury of your tides.
Fit only 'tis, where you bear sway,
That fools or frantics do obey;
Since judgement, if it not resists,
Will lose itself in your blind mists.

Fall easy, Patience, fall like rest
Whose soft spells charm a troubled breast:
And where those rebels you espy,
O in your silken cordage tie
Their malice up! so shall I raise
Altars to thank your power, and praise
The sovereign vertue of your balm,
Which cures a tempest by a calm.



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