Happy were he could finish forth his fate
In some unhaunted desert, most obscure
From all societies, from love and hate
Of worldly folk; then might he sleep secure;
Then wake again, and give God ever praise,
Content with hips and haws and bramble-berry;
In contemplation spending all his days,
And change of holy thoughts to make him merry;
Where, when he dies, his tomb may be a bush,
Where harmless robin dwells with gentle thrush.
"Some unhaunted desert": that phrase alone is worth a lifetime of writing, as far as I am concerned. (But perhaps I am easily pleased -- "or else I'm getting soft," to quote Bob Dylan.)
Alas, Devereux's wish was not to be fulfilled: he was beheaded on February 25, 1601, for his alleged involvement in a plot against Elizabeth. His fate certainly adds poignancy to the poem, especially to: "then might he sleep secure."
8 comments:
"Some unhaunted desert" is indeed excellent, but I also like "Content with hips and haws and bramble-berry."
Michael: Thank you very much for visiting, and for your comment. I agree with you -- in fact, the poem has so many nice lines that it is one of those that you automatically memorize after you've read it a few times. (Although this phenomenon is fading with age!) Thanks again.
'Either I'm too sensitive or else I'm getting soft' was the full original quote I believe from Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks'.
Hydriotaphia: Thank you very much for visiting and for commenting. Yes, indeed: as you know, the line comes from "If You See Her, Say Hello" -- my favorite song on a wonderful album. (Do we still call them "albums"? Well, it was an "album" way back when I bought it.) Thank you again.
I would like to see a published collection of the sonnets of Robert Devereux (156-1601) 2nd Earl of Essex.
Given the tens or hundreds of thousands around the world who carry this illustrious isurname, and the continuing worldwide interest in his tragic life, (encouraged in recent years by historians Paul Hammer and Roy Strong) a neat printed hardback book of the "The Collected Sonnets of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex" would be a longterm profitable enterprise.
Isabelle: Thank you very much for visiting, and for your comment. I agree with your thought about a new edition of his poems: it is an excellent idea.
Thanks again.
I would simply like to thank you for your posts of both poetry and paintings: I love them.They are the only e-mail I eagerly open in full knowledge that I am about to be gently educated in the most lyrical of fashion.
Anonymous: Thank you very much for your kind words, which I greatly appreciate. That's very nice of you to say. I'm happy that you found your way here, and I hope you will keep returning. Thank you again. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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