Death & Dying
A Poem in the Nature of an Epitaph of a Friend
From A Poetical Rhapsody (1602), ed. A. H. Bullen (1890–91)
If stepdame Nature have been scant,
In dealing Beauty's gifts to me,
My wit shall help supply that want,
And skill instead of shape shall be:
My stature, I confess, is small,
And therefore nill I boast of war.
My name shall fill the heavens and all,
This skin shall serve to hide that scar;
My head to bear the helm unfit,
My hands unapt to murder men:
But little heads oft hold much wit,
And feeble hands can guide a pen.
Codex Note
Credited to "A. W." in Francis Davison's own manuscript list (Bullen prints the initials in square brackets).
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies). “A Poem in the Nature of an Epitaph of a Friend.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-miscellanies/127/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies). “A Poem in the Nature of an Epitaph of a Friend.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-miscellanies/127/.
Read this poem with the Codex →