Sir Walter Raleigh (1552? - 1618)
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon,
My scrip of joy, immortal diet,
My bottle of salvation,
My gown of glory, hope's true gage;
And thus I'll take my pilgrimage.
Blood must be my body's balmer;
No other balm will there be given;
Whilst my soul, like quiet palmer,
Travelleth towards the land of heaven;
Over the silver mountains,
Where spring the nectar fountains;
There will I kiss
The bowl of bliss;
And drink mine everlasting fill
Upon every milken hill.
My soul will be a-dry before;
But, after, it will thirst no more.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Once I read that Sir Walter Raleigh wrote this poem during his imprisonment as he was awaiting his execution.
Here is the beautiful letter he wrote to his wife on the eve of his death.
Your attention to Sir Walter makes me want to read a biography.....
ReplyDeleteabout his wife.
http://www.amazon.com/My-Just-Desire-Raleigh-Walter/dp/0345452909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270914756&sr=1-1
That looks good. My daughter reminded me this morning that I have a bio of her, Lady in Waiting by Rosemary Sutcliff, so I'm going to read it next. I think I'll add yours to my list too.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm LOL at the book's description -- the author uses Bess Raleigh to illustrate the limited role of women in Tudor England, and then goes on to talk about a woman who accomplished far more than most of us modern women do in our lives!
ReplyDelete