I SAW him sensitive in frame, I knew his spirits low; And wish'd him health, success, and fame: I do not wish it now. For these are all their own reward, And leave no good behind; They try us, oftenest make us hard, Less modest, pure, and kind. Alas! Yet to the suffering man, In this his mortal state, Friends could not give what Fortune can-- Health, ease, a heart elate. But he is now by Fortune foil'd No more; and we retain The memory of a man unspoil'd, Sweet, generous, and humane; With all the fortunate have not-- With gentle voice and brow. Alive, we would have chang'd his lot: We would not change it now. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD by HAYDEN CARRUTH A TIME TO DANCE by CECIL DAY LEWIS NOTES FOR THE FIRST LINE OF A SPANISH POEM by JAMES GALVIN TO THE MARTYRED by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON VOLUPTAS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON WITH CHAOS IN EACH KISS by TIMOTHY LIU FRANCIS II, KING OF NAPLES; SONNET by AMY LOWELL |