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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NUDUS REDIBO by THOMAS FLATMAN

First Line: NAKED I CAME, WHEN I BEGAN TO BE
Last Line: AND SLUMBER BOTH STARK NAKED, HE AND I.

NAKED I came, when I began to be
A man among the Sons of Misery,
Tender, unarm'd, helpless, and quite forlorn,
E'er since 'twas my hard fortune to be born;
And when the space of a few weary days
Shall be expir'd, then must I go my ways.
Naked I shall return, and nothing have,
Nothing wherewith to bribe my hungry Grave.
Then what's the proudest Monarch's glittering robe,
Or what's he, more than I, that rul'd the globe?
Since we must all without distinction die,
And slumber both stark naked, he and I.



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