tichborne'selegywrittenin1586fromthetowe

Tichborne's Elegy written in 1586 from the Tower

by Bob on February 20, 2007

A lot is going on and yet nothing in other senses. Like that poem by Chidiock Tichborne whilst awaiting execution in the Tower of London in 1586 -- all monosyllabic words ... a poet conspirator. To wit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chidiock_Tichborne

Like Mrs. Robinson and Eleanor Ribgy, where are you now, Chidiock Tichborne? When we need you so badly, it would seem. Yeah.

* * *

Chidiock Tichborne's Elegy

written with his own hand in the Tower before his execution

My prime of youth is but a frost of cares,

My feast of joy is but a dish of pain,

My crop of corn is but a field of tares,

And all my good is but vain hope of gain.

The day is past, and yet I saw no sun,

And now I live, and now my life is done.

My tale was heard and yet it was not told,

My fruit is fallen and yet my leaves are green;

My youth is spent and yet I am not old,

I saw the world and yet I was not seen.

My thread is cut and yet it is not spun,

And now I live, and now my life is done.

I sought my death and found it in my womb,

I looked for life and saw it was a shade;

I trod the earth and knew it was my tomb,

And now I die, and now I was but made.

My glass is full, and now my glass is run,

And now I live, and now my life is done.