Death & Dying

A Poem in the Nature of an Epitaph of a Friend

by Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies) c. 1575–1602

From A Poetical Rhapsody (1602), ed. A. H. Bullen (1890–91)

Death & Dying

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.

✦ ✦ ✦

Credited to "A. W." in Francis Davison's own manuscript list (Bullen prints the initials in square brackets).

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/.

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