Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VALEDICTORY by ADAM LINDSAY GORDON

First Line: LAY ME LOW, MY WORK IS DONE
Last Line: I AM WEARY, LAY ME LOW.
Subject(s): LABOR & LABORERS; REST; WORK; WORKERS;
LAY me low, my work is done;
I am weary. Lay me low,
Where the wild flowers woo the sun,
Where the balmy breezes blow
Where the butterfly takes wing,
Where the aspens drooping grow,
Where the young birds chirp and sing;
I am weary, let me go.

I have striven hard and long,
In the world's unequal fight,
Always to resist the wrong,
Always to maintain the right;
Always with a stubborn heart,
Taking, giving blow for blow.
Brother, I have played my part,
And am weary, let me go.

Stern the world, and bitter cold,
Irksome, painful to endure;
Everywhere a love of gold,
Nowhere pity for the poor.
Everywhere mistrust, disguise,
Pride, hypocrisy, and show;
Draw the curtain, close mine eyes,
I am weary, let me go.

Others, 'chance, when I am gone,
May restore the battle call;
Bravely lead a good cause on,
Fighting in the which I fall.
God may quicken some true soul
Here to take my place below
In the hero's muster-roll;
I am weary, let me go.

Shield and buckler, hang them up,
Drape the standard on the wall,
I have drained the mortal cup
To the finish, dregs and all.
When our work is done, 't is best,
Brother, best that we should go.
I am weary, let me rest;
I am weary, lay me low.



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