'Under which king, Bezonian? Speak, or die.' -- 2 HENRY IV. Act v., Scene 3. 'Under which king?' you ask, my friend. 'The Hermit of the Suffolk shore? -- The Tent-maker of Naishapur? -- OMAR, FITZGERALD -- which?' Perpend. The great CORNEILLE, when pressed of yore, To judge two sonnets, answered thus: -- 'One, in its way, is marvellous; And yet -- I like the other more.' This is my case betwixt your twain. But if you further question why I sit in this brave company, I will -- with your good leave -- explain. Life is a toilsome thing at best: We all too-heavy burdens bear, And groaning 'neath our load of care, Run to and fro in search of rest. We find it where this board is set: Kind looks across the napery gleam; The Past, the Future, grow a dream; And -- for the moment -- we forget. OMAR, FITZGERALD -- these are all But phantasies. We snuff the air; The green spot in the desert bare; The Opiate of the Interval! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SABBATH OF THE SOUL by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD TO A POET THAT DIED YOUNG by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY INSPIRATION (2) by HENRY DAVID THOREAU THE PALM-TREE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER HALVING IT WITH WITHER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS THE OLD LINE FENCE by AMERICUS WELLINGTON BELLAW |