Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE GOOD OF IT; A CYNIC'S SONG, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GOOD OF IT; A CYNIC'S SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some men strut proudly, all purple and gold
Last Line: Thou, god, thou sawest the good of it.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria


SOME men strut proudly, all purple and gold,
Hiding queer deeds 'neath a cloak of good fame;
I creep along, braving hunger and cold,
To keep my heart stainless as well as my name;
So, so, where is the good of it?

Some clothe bare Truth in fine garments of words,
Fetter her free limbs with cumbersome state:
With me, let me sit at the lordliest boards,
"I love" means I love, and "I hate" means I hate,
But, but, where is the good of it?

Some have rich dainties and costly attire,
Guests fluttering round them and duns at the door:
I crouch alone at my plain board and fire,
Enjoy what I pay for and scorn to have more.
Yet, yet, where is the good of it?

Some gather round them a phalanx of friends,
Scattering affection like coin in a crowd;
I keep my heart for the few that heaven sends,
Where they'll find their names writ when I lie in my shroud.
Still, still, where is the good of it?

Some toy with love, lightly come, lightly go,
A blithe game at hearts, little worth, little cost: --
I staked my whole soul on one desperate throw,
A life 'gainst an hour's sport. We played' and I -- lost
Ha, ha, such was the good of it!

MORAL: ADDED ON HIS DEATH-BED.

TURN the Past's mirror backward. Its shadows removed,
The dim confused mass becomes softened, sublime:
I have worked -- I have felt -- I have lived -- I have loved,
And each was a step towards the goal I now climb:
Thou, God, Thou sawest the good of it.






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