Edgar Lee Masters (1868-1950)
Benjamin Pantier
1Together in this grave lie Benjamin Pantier, attorney at law,
2And Nig, his dog, constant companion, solace and friend.
3Down the gray road, friends, children, men and women,
4Passing one by one out of life, left me till I was alone
5With Nig for partner, bed-fellow, comrade in drink.
6In the morning of life I knew aspiration and saw glory.
7Then she, who survives me, snared my soul
8With a snare which bled me to death,
9Till I, once strong of will, lay broken, indifferent,
10Living with Nig in a room back of a dingy office.
11Under my jaw-bone is snuggled the bony nose of Nig --
12Our story is lost in silence. Go by, mad world!
Notes
1] Unidentified, but perhaps based in part on the poet's father, Hardin W. Masters, and his mother, Emma Masters.
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: Edgar Lee Masters, Spoon River Anthology,
illustrated by Oliver Herford (London: T. Werner Laurie,
[1916]): 15. 8-NBI Masters New York Public Library
First publication date:
1915
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2003
Recent editing: 1:2003/6/2
Rhyme: unrhyming
Other poems by Edgar Lee Masters
