|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE GOOD GREAT MAN, by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: How seldom, friend! A good great man inherits
Last Line: Himself, his maker, and the angel death.
Variant Title(s): Complaint [and Reproof];the Reward Of The Just
Subject(s): Consolation
First Line: How seldom, friend! A good great man inherits
Last Line: Himself, his maker, and the angel death.
Variant Title(s): Complaint [and Reproof];the Reward Of The Just
Subject(s): Consolation
How seldom, Friend! a good great man inherits
Honor or wealth with all his worth and pains!
It sounds like stories from the land of spirits.
If any man obtain that which he merits,
Or any merit that which he obtains.
[REPLY TO THE ABOVE]
For shame, dear Friend; renounce this canting strain!
What wouldst thou have a good great man obtain?
Place -- titles -- salary -- a gilded chain --
Or throne of corses which his sword has slain?
Greatness and goodness are not means, but ends!
Hath he not always treasures, always friends,
The good great man? three treasures, -- love, and light,
And calm thoughts, regular as infant's breath;
And three firm friends, more sure than day and night --
Himself, his Maker, and the angel Death.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
SHAKESPEARE'S GRAVE by ROBINSON JEFFERS
RECOMPENSE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON
THE WILLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON
EINSTEIN by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH
HOLDERLIN'S JOURNEY by EDWIN MUIR
THE PRODIGAL SON by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON
ILKA BLADE O' GRASS KEPS ITS AIN DRAP O' DEW by JAMES BALLANTYNE
COMFORT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
A CHILD'S EVENING PRAYER by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
A DAY DREAM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
A THOUGHT SUGGESTED BY A VIEW, OF SADDLEBACK IN CUMBERLAND by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE