Death & Dying

In darkness let me dwell, the ground shall sorrow be

by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs) c. 1588–1630

From Lyrics from the Song-Books of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1891)

Death & Dying

In darkness let me dwell, the ground shall sorrow be,
The roof despair to bar all cheerful light from me,
The walls of marble black that moistened still shall weep,
My music hellish jarring sounds to banish friendly sleep:
Thus wedded to my woes, and bedded in my tomb
O let me dying live till death doth come.

My dainties grief shall be, and tears my poisoned wine,
My sighs the air through which my panting heart shall pine,
My robes my mind shall suit exceeding blackest night,
My study shall be tragic thoughts sad fancy to delight,
Pale ghosts and frightful shades shall my acquaintance be:
O thus, my hapless joy, I haste to thee.

✦ ✦ ✦

From John Coprario's Funeral Tears, etc., 1606.

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “In darkness let me dwell, the ground shall sorrow be.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/62/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan songs). “In darkness let me dwell, the ground shall sorrow be.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-songs/62/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous (Elizabethan songs)