Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935)
Variations of Greek Themes. I. A Happy Man
(Carphyllides)
1When these graven lines you see,
2Traveler, do not pity me;
3Though I be among the dead,
4Let no mournful word be said.
5Children that I leave behind,
6And their children, all were kind;
7Near to them and to my wife,
8I was happy all my life.
9My three sons I married right,
10And their sons I rocked at night;
11Death nor sorrow ever brought
12Cause for one unhappy thought.
13Now, and with no need of tears,
14Here they leave me, full of years,--
15Leave me to my quiet rest
16In the region of the blest.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Collected Poems, with an introduction by John Drinkwater (London: Cecil Palmer, 1922): 225-26. PS 3535 O25A17 1922 Robarts Library.
First publication date:
1902
Publication date note: Captain Craig (1902), p. 172.
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: RPO 1998.
Recent editing: 2:2002/4/3
Rhyme: aabb
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