Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PAUL AND OMAR (THEY WERE BOTH TENT-MAKERS BY TRADE) by HARRY HIBBARD KEMP

First Line: TWO TENT-MAKERS IN DIFFERENT AGES BORN
Last Line: I PLUCK THE ROSE, NOR SHRINK I FROM THE THORN.

TWO tent-makers in different ages born—
One played a lute, one blew an iron horn.
One cried that flesh was weak and life was wrong,
The other, "Only wine and love are strong."

Omar, I share not all thy brimming bowl,
Nor, Paul, would I, like thee, be naught but soul ...
Player of careless lute, blower of horn,
I pluck the rose, nor shrink I from the thorn.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net