BRING a poet, whose writings our book-shelves adorn,
At Stratford-on-Avon, in Warwickshire, born,
Let the name of a regicide also be heard,
Who shot, at a masked ball, Gustavus the Third,
But, lest he attention too long should engage,
I hasten to introduce on the stage
A Roman historian, of Pliny the friend,
Whose writings and character all men commend.
Then think of a Persian, a sage, and a prince,
Who reigning in Samarcand centuries since,
Was, in health and prosperity, hurl’d from his throne
By the murderous hands of the young prince, his son;
The date which historians this base act assign
Is one thousand, four hundred, and forty, and nine.
A cardinal statesman of France to expose,
Whose hatred against the poor Protestants rose
So high, that in person he sought to expel
The sufferers from their strong hold of Rochelle.
And lastly, an English philosopher seek,
Who, tho’ learned and wise, was both humble and meek;
He of light and of colours the theory fix’d,
Showing how in the rainbow the sweet tints are mix’d.
If the names of these persons in order you mention,
I think that, at once, you’ll perceive my intention,
And find that the orb which can boast a bright ring,
Is the planet of which I have ventured to sing.
(Elizabeth Hitchener)
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Based on Topics: Light Poems, Youth Poems, Friendship Poems, Name Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Sons Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Literature Poems, Poets Poems, Health Poems, Astronomy & Cosmology PoemsBased on Keywords: historian, historians, expel, sufferers, philosopher, samarcand, protestants, pliny, rochelle, gustavus, regicide