Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OF THE MISERIES ATTENDING MANKIND, by POSEIDIPPUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OF THE MISERIES ATTENDING MANKIND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh mis'ry of mankind! For at the bar
Last Line: That we had ne'er been born: or soon as born had died.
Alternate Author Name(s): Posidippus; Poseidippos
Subject(s): Life; Pain; Suffering; Misery


OH mis'ry of Mankind! For at the Bar
Are strifes and quarrels; at our houses, Care;
In fields, hard labour; dangers, on the sea;
Who travels rich, can ne'er from fears be free;

Grievous is Want; Marriage, eternal strife:
A single, is a solitary life;
Children, bring Care and Trouble; to have none,
The happiness of wedlock is not known;

Our Youth is Folly; e'er we can grow wise,
We're old, and loaded with infirmities.
So we may wish, who have th' experience try'd,
That we had ne'er been born: or soon as born had died.





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