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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHARLES LAMB by PAKENHAM THOMAS BEATTY

First Line: THOUGH OUR GREAT LOVE A LITTLE WRONG HIS
Last Line: SALUTES THY GENTLE GHOST THAT PRAISED HIM BEST.
Subject(s): LAMB, CHARLES (1775-1834);

THOUGH our great love a little wrong his fame,
And seeing him with such familiar eyes
We say "how kind" more often than "how wise,"
Such is the simple reverence he would claim;
He would not have us call him by a name
Higher than that of friend, -- yet by this grave
We feel the saint not pure, nor hero brave,
And all the martyr's patience put to shame.
Brother, we leave thee by thy sister's side;
Whom such a love bound let not death divide;
She is at peace, now, brother, thou canst rest;
Thy long sad guardianship of love is o'er,
And gentle Shakespeare on the dead men's shore
Salutes thy gentle ghost that praised him best.



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