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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN IMITATION OF WALLER: 4. OF HER SICKNESS by ALEXANDER POPE

Poet Analysis

First Line: AH SERENISSA, FROM OUR ARMS
Last Line: YOU ARE NOT NOW INVINCIBLE.
Subject(s): WALLER, EDMUND (1606-1687);

Ah Serenissa, from our arms
Did you for death's preserve your charms;
From us that serv'd so long in vain,
Shall heav'n so soon the prize obtain?
Sickness, its courtship, makes the fair
As pale as her own lovers are.
Sure you, the goddess we adore,
Who all coelestial seem'd before,
While vows and service nothing gain'd,
Which, were you woman, had obtain'd;
At last in pity, for our sake,
Descend an human form to take,
And by this sickness chuse to tell
You are not now invincible.




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