Thomas Nashe (late 1567 – ca. 1601) was an Elizabethan poet, playwright, pamphleteer, and controversialist. He co-wrote the lost Isle of Dogs with Ben Jonson, and is credited with The Choice of Valentines (also known colloquially as “Nashe’s Dildo”), an interesting example of Elizabethan erotica. I would suggest that this is his most famous poem.
A Litany in Time of Plague
Adieu, farewell earth’s bliss,
This world uncertain is:
Fond are life’s lustful joys,
Death proves them all but toys.
None from his darts can fly:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord have mercy on us!
Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade,
All things to end are made;
The plague full swift goes by:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord have mercy on us!
Beauty is but a flower,
Which wrinkles will devour;
Brightness falls from the air,
Queens have died young and fair,
Dust hath closed Helen’s eye:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord have mercy on us!
Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave,
Swords may not fight with fate,
Earth still holds ope her gate.
Come, come, the bells do cry,
I am sick, I must die.
Lord have mercy on us!
Haste therefore each degree
To welcome destiny;
Heaven is our heritage
Earth but a player’s stage,
Mount we unto the sky:
I am sick, I must die.
Lord have mercy on us!
***
William Dunbar (ca. 1459 – ca. 1530) was a late medieval Scots poet, sometimes identified with the Scottish Chaucerians, though that’s not entirely fair. Incidentally, Dunbar is credited with the first printed use of the word fuck, so a lot of us crime writer types owe him our respect. This poem was about his poetic predecessors in Scotland (the makaris, or “makers”, a term itself connected to the Greek poetes, “maker”) but it seems appropriate these days, and I appreciate the note of faith in the conclusion.
Lament For The Makers
I that in heill wes and gladnes,
***
Meanwhile, here in Mondoville, we’ve canceled classes for a few days, and are transitioning to an online format for the next couple of weeks, after which we shall see. Hang in there, everybody, and stay safe!
Thanks to you, Prof, and the Good Mr. Dunbar, I have found a way to uniquely identify my posts on Duolingo, should I ever wish to find them again. To find them first, a pain will be! Timor mortis conturbat me.