Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THEOPHILUS, by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON


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THEOPHILUS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: By what serene malevolence of names
Last Line: Or cain,--but surely not theophilus.


By what serene malevolence of names
Had you the gift of yours, Theophilus?
Not even a smeared young Cyclops at his games
Would have you long,--and you are one of us.

Told of your deeds I shudder for your dreams
And they, no doubt, are few and innocent.
Meanwhile, I marvel; for in you, it seems,
Heredity outshines environment.

What lingering bit of Belial, unforeseen,
Survives and amplifies itself in you?
What manner of devilry has ever been
That your obliquity may never do?

Humility befits a father's eyes,
But not a friend of us would have him weep.
Admiring everything that lives and dies,
Theophilus, we like you best asleep.

Sleep--sleep; and let us find another man
To lend another name less hazardous:
Caligula, maybe, or Caliban,
Or Cain,--but surely not Theophilus.





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