The Glories of our Blood and State

(Excerpt from "The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses")

Original Text

James Shirley, The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses (1659).

1The glories of our blood and state

2 Are shadows, not substantial things;

3There is no armour against fate;

4 Death lays his icy hand on kings.

5 Sceptre and crown

6 Must tumble down,

7And in the dust be equal made

8With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

9Some men with swords may reap the field,

10 And plant fresh laurels where they kill;

11But their strong nerves at last must yield,

12 They tame but one another still.

13 Early or late,

14 They stoop to fate,

15And must give up their murmuring breath,

16When they, pale captives, creep to death.

17The garlands wither on your brow,

18 Then boast no more your mighty deeds;

19Upon death's purple altar now,

20 See where the victor-victim bleeds.

21 Your heads must come

22 To the cold tomb;

23Only the actions of the just

24Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.

Publication Start Year

1659

RPO poem Editors

N. J. Endicott

RPO Edition

2RP.1.248; RPO 1996-2000.

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