Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A FRIEND, by SYDNEY KING RUSSELL First Line: I knew him well; we fenced at many a bout Last Line: Of shining fame . . . And I have lost a friend. Subject(s): Fame; Fencing; Friendship; Reputation | ||||||||
I knew him well; we fenced at many a bout As boys; jested, as you and I do now. He was my friend before, till fame reached out And laid the wreath of laurel on his brow. And now he walks in kingly paths, and seeks Only such friends as kings desire to own; Now, with his head held high, he boldly speaks Of visions. But he walks no more alone. The friends that gather at the beck of fame Feed on the glamour of his brief renown. Among this crowd I found him, spoke his name And sought to add a jewel to his crown With word well-turned. Though my intent was fair, Between us two the message went astray -- His answer strangely smote the empty air; Somehow there was so little left to say. He does not mean, I fancy, to forget; A wound is quite the last thing he'd intend. The cunning world but trapped him in her net Of shining fame . . . and I have lost a friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THEM AND US by LUCILLE CLIFTON A MAN TO A WOMAN by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS DEATH AND FAME by ALLEN GINSBERG EARTH'S IMMORTALITIES: FAME by ROBERT BROWNING STANZAS WRITTEN ON THE ROAD BETWEEN FLORENCE AND PISA by GEORGE GORDON BYRON PROVIDE, PROVIDE by ROBERT FROST LOVE SONG by SYDNEY KING RUSSELL |
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