Classic and Contemporary Poetry
COMPENSATION, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poet's Biography First Line: When once, in 'merrie england' Last Line: Cruel ones are brief. Subject(s): Grief; Pain; Sorrow; Sadness; Suffering; Misery | ||||||||
I. WHEN once, in "Merrie England," A prisoner of state Stood waiting death or exile, Submissive to his fate, He made this famous answer, -- "Si longa, levis; Si dura, brevis; Go tell your tyrant chief, Long pains are light ones, Cruel ones are brief!" II. Alas! we all are culprits; Our bodies doomed to bear Discomforts and diseases, And none may 'scape his share; But God in pity orders, Si longa, levis; Si dura, brevis; He grants us this relief, Long pains are light ones, Cruel ones are brief. III. Nor less the mind must suffer Its weight of care and woe, Afflictions and bereavements Itself can only know; But let us still remember, Si longa, levis; Si dura, brevis; To moderate our grief, -- Long pains are light ones, Cruel ones are brief. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PARTHENOPHIL AND PARTHENOPHE: MADRIGAL 14 by BARNABE BARNES SONNETS IN SHADOWS: 1 by ARLO BATES IN PRAISE OF PAIN by HEATHER MCHUGH THE SYMPATIZERS by JOSEPHINE MILES LEEK STREET by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |
|