Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE UNREPENTANT, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON Poet's Biography First Line: Now my time has come to die Last Line: But the dance -- was mine!) Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs. Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
NOW my time has come to die, Good, my masters, hear, This a sinner's litany, Shocking to your ear: Life hath played for me to dance Up and down the line -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was fine!) Love came swinging to my call -- Black-eyed love and bold; Gave me scarlet lips to kiss, Both her hands to hold. Fast and faster fell our feet To the music's beat -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was sweet!) I have danced it through the world -- Ah, the merry tune! Danced the red sun down the West, Danced away the moon. Could I cavil at the price? Out on souls so mean! (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was keen!) Beggared now, my masters all, Cry your cold dispraise; Raise your eyes and count your gold, Trudge your dreary ways. I, the pauper, richer far, Envy not nor pine -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance -- was mine!) | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND A BOOK OF CELTIC VERSE (TO SEUMAS MACMANUS) by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON |
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