Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BURDEN by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS

First Line: I WRITHED BENEATH MY BURDEN, FUMED AND GROANED
Last Line: "TO BE THE BURDEN THAN BEAR IT, AND PITY ME!"
Subject(s): STRENGTH;
I writhed beneath my burden, fumed and groaned.
My burden that had felt and heard me, moaned:
"You do not know what misery is, nor what
The bitterest part is of our common lot.
The strength I load in you with my loath weight,
My weakness would so gladly own its fate.
Think, once, how much more dreadful it must be
To be the burden than bear it, and pity me!"



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