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William Shakespeare - Best 3 Funeral Poems [Includes PDF & Audio]
Welcome to our carefully curated collection of four funeral poems by the incomparable William Shakespeare. On this page, you'll journey through the Bard's profound expressions of loss, grief, and the enduring power of memory, each conveyed with his unique blend of eloquence and insight.
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1) Like As The Waves Make Towards The Pebbled Shore
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end,
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown‘d,
Crooked eclipses ‗gainst his glory fight,
And Time, that gave, doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth,
And delves the parallels in beauty‘s brow;
Feels on the rarities of nature‘s truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow.
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
So do our minutes hasten to their end,
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown‘d,
Crooked eclipses ‗gainst his glory fight,
And Time, that gave, doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth,
And delves the parallels in beauty‘s brow;
Feels on the rarities of nature‘s truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow.
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
Read more about this poem
2) Remembrance
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long-since-cancell'd woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish'd sight.
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoanéd moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before:
--But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored, and sorrows end.
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long-since-cancell'd woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish'd sight.
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoanéd moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before:
--But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored, and sorrows end.
Read more about this poem
3) The Triumph Of Death
Please note the audio recording may not exactly match the text version as poems are sometimes tailored/personalised.
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world, that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell;
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O if, I say, you look upon this verse
When I perhaps compounded am with clay
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay;
Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world, that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell;
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot
If thinking on me then should make you woe.
O if, I say, you look upon this verse
When I perhaps compounded am with clay
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay;
Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
Read more about this poem
History & Information about poet William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor born on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist.
Shakespeare began his career in the theater in the late 16th century, working as an actor and a playwright in London. His plays were initially performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company of actors that later became the King's Men, of which Shakespeare was a member.
Over the course of his career, Shakespeare wrote over 30 plays, including "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "Othello," "Romeo and Juliet," and "King Lear," among others. His plays are known for their complex characters, intricate plots, and masterful use of language.
In addition to his plays, Shakespeare also wrote poetry, including his sonnets, which are widely regarded as some of the greatest love poems in the English language.
Shakespeare's works were popular during his lifetime, and his plays were performed frequently in London's theaters. However, it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that his works began to be studied and appreciated as great works of literature.
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, in Stratford-upon-Avon. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in English literature and a master of the written word. His plays and poetry continue to be performed, studied, and celebrated around the world.
Shakespeare began his career in the theater in the late 16th century, working as an actor and a playwright in London. His plays were initially performed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company of actors that later became the King's Men, of which Shakespeare was a member.
Over the course of his career, Shakespeare wrote over 30 plays, including "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "Othello," "Romeo and Juliet," and "King Lear," among others. His plays are known for their complex characters, intricate plots, and masterful use of language.
In addition to his plays, Shakespeare also wrote poetry, including his sonnets, which are widely regarded as some of the greatest love poems in the English language.
Shakespeare's works were popular during his lifetime, and his plays were performed frequently in London's theaters. However, it was not until the 18th and 19th centuries that his works began to be studied and appreciated as great works of literature.
Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52, in Stratford-upon-Avon. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in English literature and a master of the written word. His plays and poetry continue to be performed, studied, and celebrated around the world.
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