 | The Poetical Works of John Payne |  |
SOVRAN SORROW.
DEATH came to me and took me by the hand,What time the earth had girt her first with Spring
And all the meadows put on blossoming.
“Come forth,” said he, “and see my flowers expand:”
And forth we passed into the pleasant land.
And as we went, the small birds all did sing
And all the flowers praised Death in everything.
Then, as I looked, amazed, to see the brand
And sign of that his dreadful sovranty,
Behold, a crown of holiest sorrowing
Flamed on the angel's brow; and unto me,
Knee-bent for reverence, these words did ring
Most softly, “Lo! he ruleth all that be,
Seeing he sorrows more than anything.”
| The Poetical Works of John Payne | |