Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLAIN SERMONS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLAIN SERMONS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw a man - and envied him beside
Last Line: For never having seen myself before!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Blindness; Envy; Sermons; Visually Handicapped


I saw a man -- and envied him beside --
Because of this world's goods he had great store;
But even as I envied him, he died,
And left me envious of him no more.

I saw another man -- and envied still --
Because he was content with frugal lot;
But as I envied him, the rich man's will
Bequeathed him all, and envy I forgot.

Yet still another man I saw, and he
I envied for a calm and tranquil mind
That nothing fretted in the least degree --
Until, alas! I found that he was blind.

What vanity is envy! for I find
I have been rich in dross of thought, and poor
In that I was a fool, and lastly blind
For never having seen myself before!






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