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lillburlero's awesome National Poetry Month idea: poems that make me a bit wibbly. I may not post every day because I'm bad about that.
First up: "So cruel prison," by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, in which he recalls his childhood friend Henry Fitzroy (illegitimate son of Henry VIII) who died in 1536 at the age of 17. They spent much of their time together at Windsor Castle, where in 1537 Surrey was imprisoned largely for political reasons that I won't bother to explain here (though I'll be happy to if someone asks). The poem is thought to have been written during his imprisonment. A version with footnotes is here if you like that kind of thing.
So cruel prison how could betide, alas,
As proud Windsor? Where I in lust and joy
With a king's son my childish years did pass
In greater feast than Priam's sons of Troy;
Where each sweet place returns a taste full sour:
The large green courts, where we were wont to hove,
With eyes cast up unto the maidens' tower,
And easy sighs, such as folk draw in love;
( click here for more )
lillburlero's awesome National Poetry Month idea: poems that make me a bit wibbly. I may not post every day because I'm bad about that.First up: "So cruel prison," by Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, in which he recalls his childhood friend Henry Fitzroy (illegitimate son of Henry VIII) who died in 1536 at the age of 17. They spent much of their time together at Windsor Castle, where in 1537 Surrey was imprisoned largely for political reasons that I won't bother to explain here (though I'll be happy to if someone asks). The poem is thought to have been written during his imprisonment. A version with footnotes is here if you like that kind of thing.
So cruel prison how could betide, alas,
As proud Windsor? Where I in lust and joy
With a king's son my childish years did pass
In greater feast than Priam's sons of Troy;
Where each sweet place returns a taste full sour:
The large green courts, where we were wont to hove,
With eyes cast up unto the maidens' tower,
And easy sighs, such as folk draw in love;
( click here for more )
