Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RESPECTABLE FOLKS by HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE RESPECTABLE FOLKS,- / WHERE DWELL THEY?
Last Line: FOR ALL ARE THEIR DEBTORS AND ALL THEIR FRIENDS.
Subject(s): IMMORTALITY; NATURE; OAK TREES;
The respectable folks,
Where dwell they?
They whisper in the oaks,
And they sigh in the hay,
Summer and winter, night and day,
Out on the meadow, there dwell they.
They drink at the brooks and the pilgrim's cup,
And with the owl and the nighthawk sup;
They suck the breath of the morning wind,
And they make their own all the good they find.
They never die,
Nor snivel nor cry,
For they have a lease of immortality.
A sound estate forever they mend,
To every asker readily lend,
To the ocean wealth,
To the meadow health,
To Time his length,
To the rocks strength,
To the stars light
To the weary night,
To the busy day,
To the idle play,
And so their good cheer never ends,
For all are their debtors and all their friends.



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