Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LEGACY, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LEGACY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, postumus, we all must go
Last Line: In three portmanteaus!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Wills


AH, Postumus, we all must go:
This keen North-Easter nips my shoulder;
My strength begins to fail; I know
You find me older;

I've made my Will. Dear, faithful friend --
My Muse's friend and not my purse's!
Who still would hear and still commend
My tedious verses, --

How will you live -- of these deprived?
I've learned your candid soul. The venal, --
The sordid friend had scarce survived
A test so penal;

But you -- Nay, nay, 'tis so. The rest
Are not as you: you hide your merit;
You, more than all, deserve the best
True friends inherit; --

Not gold, -- that hearts like yours despise;
Not 'spacious dirt' (your own expression),
No; but the rarer, dearer prize --
The Life's Confession!

You catch my thought? What! Can't you guess?
You, you alone, admired my Cantos; --
I've left you, P., my whole MS.,
In three portmanteaus!





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