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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


UNDERWOODS: BOOK 1: 20. TO F. J. S. by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I READ, DEAR FRIEND, IN YOUR DEAR FACE
Last Line: YOUR FLOWERS AND THORNS YOU BRING WITH YOU!
Subject(s): FRIENDSHIP; LIFE;

I READ, dear friend, in your dear face
Your life's tale told with perfect grace;
The river of your life I trace
Up the sun-chequered, devious bed
To the far-distant fountain-head.

Not one quick beat of your warm heart,
Nor thought that came to you apart,
Pleasure nor pity, love nor pain
Nor sorrow, has gone by in vain;

But as some lone, wood-wandering child
Brings home with him at evening mild
The thorns and flowers of all the wild,
From your whole life, O fair and true
Your flowers and thorns you bring with you!



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