JOHN DONNE
211 Death
DEATH, be not proud, though some have called thcc Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death; nor yet canst thou kill me. From Rest and Sleep, which but thy picture be, Much pleasure, then from thec much more must flow; And soonest our best men with thee do go Rest of their bones and souls' delivery ' Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men, And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell , And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke. Why swell st thou then ? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And Death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die'
RICHARD BARNEFIELD
212 Philomel
it fell upon a day
In the merry month of May,
Sitting in a pleasant shade
Which a grove of myrtles made,
Beasts did leap and birds did sing,
Trees did grow and plants did spring;
Everything did banish moan
Save the Nightingale alone:
She, poor bird, as all forlorn
Lean'd her breast up-till a thorn,
And there sung the dolefulPst ditty,
That to hear it was great pity.
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