Traitor's Fate

After reading his elegy ( Chideock Tichbourne 1563 - 1586)

i chanced upon a sombre elegy

for Babington a heavy price you paid

with eloquence your written words excel

though Elizabeth our Queen you did betray

at three and twenty birthdates you are done

your sun has set too early for your years

yet in your blood a wordsmith recognised

it was your poet soul that ushered tears

last thoughts conveyed with wisdom's tender touch

five centuries have fled your verse lives on

i do not know you for conspiracy

but love you for your dying sunset song

Reviews

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

There is no point in freedom of speech if there is no honesty in that speech. Come what may, you must be true to yourself. To do otherwise is to sell your soul to the devil. The fact that we have a media complicit with politicians and the government to the point of suppression is the ultimate betrayal of the American people and our Constitution. I think that poets are the last of the truth seekers and truth speakers. It has always been that way. We do not write for praise nor money nor fame. We write from the soul.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank you’s Linda for stopping by to share your thoughts on this poem. Very much appreciated.

Chris

[Patricia]

This is excellent from content to format. I can’t add more than what everyone else has expressed except to say I really enjoyed it and the thoughts it provokes

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and welcome review. Good to see you. Hope all is well Patricia.

Chris

[shadrach hah]

Hi Chris, I love the content of this write, the way it is written with a touch of grace from the past. I do love to read poetry written in this way. So many met their ends as traitors to Country, queen or King, grisly ends they were. So young for a life to be cut short. The grisly end of treason. A wonderful write. Hugs.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mike. I appreciate both your visit and your thoughts. Have a great Tuesday.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Exceptional write Chris….I can only compare your write to a traitor of all traitors right here in America: our past dictator, Donald Trump….in my life time, I have never experienced a reign of terror like his…. And across the pond ( though not familiar with) I’m sure there are many traitors whose Tim has come to fade with the setting sun…. Beautiful write
Best, to you
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. The traitors we have today, do not suffer from the gruesome punishments inflicted in medieval times. Appreciate your visit dear friend.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

That’s true but they indoctrinate our minds which is horrific in itself;
You’re very welcome,
Best
B.

[Laz K.]

What I like about this is the complexity of the "traitor." If I understand it correctly, the speaker in this poem recognizes both the good (poetry) and the bad (betrayal) in a certain historical character. Can "bad" people do "good"? Yes, because no one is purely either of those categories. Someone in the comments bellow mentioned Benedict Arnold. His name is synonymous with betrayal, but if I'm not mistaken he partly did what he did for love (his wife). There's also Judas - traitor of all traitors. What were his motivations? There are various accounts. We know the official one, but apocryphal writings suggest a different story. That's why this poem is fantastic - because it doesn't go for the oversimplified look at a man, who was, as all of us, complex, contradictory, and flawed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Laz, for a wonderful review. You understood this poem perfectly.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

Turncoats, defectors, renegades....I suppose they have always existed and always been discovered and dealt with....sometimes too harshly. An elegant write here, Chris. Your compassion is admirable. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Lydi**, for checking in. Take care.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Traitors and treachery have plagued our times for centuries and each side had their reasons rightly or wrongly. Most often than not they were indeed traitors. Nice writing Chris the historian. ;)

[Chris Shaw]

I do love a bit of history Andrew. Many thanks for your review.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I like history too

[no tell writer]

Wow! this is unique, There are traitors everywhere, This is just one outstanding piece
It's truthful in today's world. awesome write

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Katzie. Pleased you enjoyed the read.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

(at three and twenty birth dates you are done your sun has set too early for your years) Beautifully written. With grace of the poets' pen! ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sharon for your lovely review. Take good care of yourself.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

Good Queen Bess saw traitors everywhere, although perhaps she had good reason. Poor Babington. Neither poetry nor money could save him. It is kind of you to spare charitable thoughts for a traitor. Benedict Arnold does not fare so well across the pond!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Zoe. Yes a bit of a history lesson here. Such violent times back then, and you know what, we are still violent now. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Ken Simm.]

This has a Donne like style that relates to the subject. and in that way I really like it.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ken. Pleased you enjoyed this bit of history. All the best.

Chris