Selected Poems by Crashaw Richard; Holloway Robin;

Author:Crashaw, Richard; Holloway, Robin;
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Carcanet
Published: 2013-12-15T04:30:00+00:00

from Sospetto d’Herode

The argument of Book I strangely pre-echoes some stretches of Paradise Lost – an expedition from ‘Deaths Master’ to earth, in order to thwart Divine Designs by tempting Herod to massacre all newborn male infants in his realm. Canti 5–9 evoke the infernal regions with many a snake, stink, ever-consuming fire and gnashing of teeth. Recalling his primal quarrel with Heaven, Satan sees new possibilities for mischief and revenge:

13

Heavens Golden-winged Herald, late hee saw

To a poore Galilean virgin sent

How low the Bright Youth bow’d, and with what awe

Immortall flowers to her faire hand present.

Hee saw th’old Hebrewes wombe, neglect the Law

Of Age and Barennesse, and her Babe prevent

His Birth, by his Devotion, who began

Betimes to be a Saint, before a Man.

14

Hee saw rich Nectar thawes, release the rigour

Of th’Icy North, from frost-bount Atlas hands

His Adamantine fetters fall: greene vigour

Gladding the Scythian Rocks, and Libian sands.

Hee saw a vernall smile, sweetly disfigure

Winters sad face, and through the flowry lands

Of faire Engaddi hony-sweating Fountaines

With Manna, Milk, and Balm, new broach the Mountaines.

15

Hee saw how in that blest Day-bearing Night,

The Heav’n-rebuked shades made hast away;

How bright a Dawne of Angels with new Light

Amaz’d the midnight world, and made a Day

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