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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON THE COUNTESS OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643)

Poet Analysis

First Line: UNDERNEATH THIS SABLE [OR, MARBLE] HEARSE
Last Line: BOTH HER MOURNER AND HER TOMB.
Subject(s): DEATH; HERBERT, MARY SIDNEY (1561-1621); HERBERT, WILLIAM, 3D EARL OF PEMBROKE; SIDNEY, SIR PHILIP (1554-1586); DEAD, THE; PEMBROKE, COUNTESS OF; SIDNEY, MARY (1561-1621); DUDLEY, MARY;
Underneath this sable hearse
Lies the subject of all verse:
Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother.
Death, ere thou hast slain another
Fair and learn'd and good as she,
Time shall throw a dart at thee.
Marble piles let no man raise
To her name; for after days
Some kind woman born as she
Reading this, like Niobe
Shall turn marble, and become
Both her mourner and her tomb.




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