LAMB'SEARLIESTPOEM

lamb'searliestpoem

milleviaemortis

(1789)

whattimeinbandsofslumberallwerelaid,

todeath'sdarkcourt,methoughtiwasconvey'd;

inrealmsitlayfarhidfrommortalsight,

andgloomytapersscarcekeptoutthenight.

onebonthronethekingofterrorssate;

aroundhimstoodtheministersoffate;

onfelldestructionbent,themurth'rousband

waitedattentivelyhishighcommand.

herepallidfear&darkdespairwereseen.

andfeverherewithlooksforeverlean,

swolndropsy,haltinggout,profuseofwoes,

andmadnessfierce&hopelessofrepose,

wide-wastingplague;butchiefinhonourstood

more-wastingwar,insatiableofblood;

withstartingeye-balls,eagerfortheword;

alreadybrandish'dwastheglitt'ringsword.

wonderandfearalikehadfill'dmybreast,

andthusthegrislymonarchiaddrest—

"ofearth-bornheroeswhyshouldpoetssing,

andtheeneglect,neglectthegreatestking?

totheeev'ncaesar'sselfwasforc'dtoyield

thegloriesofpharsalia'swell-foughtfield."

when,withafrown,"vilecaitiff,comenothere,"

abruptcrieddeath;"shallflatt'rysoothemyear?"

"hence,orthoufeel'stmydart!"themonarchsaid.

wildterrorseiz'dme,&thevisionfled.