HE died at night. Next day they came To weep and praise him: sudden fame These suddenly warm comrades gave. They called him pure, they called him brave; One praised his heart, and one his brain; All said, You'd seek his like in vain, -- Gentle, and strong, and good: none saw In all his character a flaw. At noon he wakened from his trance, Mended, was well! They looked askance; Took his hand coldly; loved him not, Though they had wept him; quite forgot His virtues; lent an easy ear To slanderous tongues; professed a fear He was not what he seemed to be; Thanked God they were not such as he; Gave to his hunger stones for bread; And made him, living, wish him dead. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOUTH'S IMMORTALITY by GEORGE SANTAYANA THE LADY'S 'YES' by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING IN THE TWILIGHT by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THOSE VARIOUS SCALPELS by MARIANNE MOORE FAUSTINE by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE A CHRISTMAS CAROL by GEORGE WITHER |