Madrigal: My Thoughts Hold Mortal Strife

Drummond of Hawthornden, William (1585 - 1649)

Original Text

William Drummond, Poems (1616). Facs. edn. (Amsterdam: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, 1969.) PR 2260 A1 1616A Robarts Library

2I do detest my life,

3And with lamenting cries,

4Peace to my soul to bring,

5Oft calls that prince which here doth monarchize;

6But he, grim-grinning king,

7Who caitiffs scorns and doth the blest surprise,

8 Late having deck'd with beauty's rose his tomb,

9 Disdains to crop a weed, and will not come.

1] Cf. Mark i.4-6. Back to Line

Publication Start Year

1616

RPO poem Editors

N. J. Endicott

RPO Edition

2RP.1.298; RPO 1996-2000.

Rhyme