Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TWO GRAVES; A GERMAN LEGEND, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poet's Biography First Line: A man who long had tried in vain Last Line: With not a word upon the stone. Subject(s): Graves; Tombs; Tombstones | ||||||||
A MAN who long had tried in vain The doctor's skill to ease the pain That racked his limbs, until his gout Scarce suffered him to crawl about, Though much inclining to despair, Gave ear to all who spoke him fair, And told of means that might insure The end he sought, -- relief or cure. Among a crowd of such, there came, To proffer help, an ancient dame, Who, having heard with solemn face The nature of the patient's case, Advised him thus: "At early light, While yet the grass is damp with night, Go sit upon a good man's grave, And in the dews upon it lave Your aching limbs; repeat it thrice; My word, 't will cure you in a trice. Next morning at the dawn of day The cripple takes his weary way Unto the churchyard; where, upon A monument of polished stone, He reads with joy: "Here lies a man Whose living virtues far outran All words of praise, -- a model he Of Justice, Goodness, Charity." Enough! the patient takes his seat And in the moisture bathes his feet And aching joints; but, sooth to say, It did not drive his gout away, Though thrice repeated; nay, he swore The pain was greater than before. What next? Near by, a hillock lies Of grass-grown earth; and so he tries The dame's prescription once again; And lo! swift flies the patient's pain; He drops his staff, and, strange to tell, His gout is gone, -- the man is well! With grateful heart and beaming face He turns the sleeper's name to trace; But no; a slab is there alone, With not a word upon the stone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SURVIVOR AMONG GRAVES by RANDALL JARRELL SUBJECTED EARTH by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE GRAVE OF MRS. HEMANS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THOSE GRAVES IN ROME by LARRY LEVIS NOT TO BE DWELLED ON by HEATHER MCHUGH ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON ETRUSCAN TOMB by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ENDING WITH A LINE FROM LEAR by MARVIN BELL DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |
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