Michael Drayton Poems

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Michael Drayton
Michael Drayton (1563 – December 23, 1631) was an English poet who came to prominence in the Elizabethan era. He was born at Hartshill, near Atherstone, Warwickshire, England. Even in childhood he showed some poetic ambition. At the age of ten he found a position as a pageboy, and a little later he is thought to have studied at the University of Oxford. Sir Henry Goodere of Powlesworth became his patron, and introduced him to Lady Bedford. Drayton fell in love with Goodere's daughter, and this may have inspired some of his love poetry. For several years Drayton was esquire to Sir Walter Aston. Nothing else is known about his youth, though it has been surmised that he served in the army abroad. In 1590 he seems to have settled in London and had two children. In 1591 he produced his first book, The Harmony of the Church, a volume of spiritual poems, dedicated to Lady Devereux. It is notable for a version of the Song of Solomon, executed with considerable richness of expression. However, with the exception of forty copies, seized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the whole edition was destroyed by public order. Nevertheless, Drayton published a vast amount within the next few years.

since there's no help, come let us kiss and part (idea: lxi)
 
 
Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part,
Nay, I have done: you get no more of me,... [read poem]
song: phoebus arise
 
 
Phœbus, arise,
And paint the sable skies
With azure, white, and red;
Rouse Memno... [read poem]
endimion and phoebe
 
 
In Ionia whence sprang old poets' fame,
From whom that sea did first derive her name,
The ... [read poem]
sonnet: what doth it serve
 
 
What doth it serve to see sun's burning face,
And skies enamelled with both the Indies' gold?... [read poem]
madrigal: my thoughts hold mortal strife
 
 
My thoughts hold mortal strife,
I do detest my life,
And with lamenting cries,
Peace ... [read poem]
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