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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AMITIES by EZRA POUND

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU WORE THE SAME QUITE CORRECT CLOTHING
Last Line: CUM JOCUNDA FEMINA.
Old friends the most. -- W.B.Y.

I

@3To one, on returning certain years after@1.

You wore the same quite correct clothing,
You took no pleasure at all in my triumphs,
You had the same old air of condescension
Mingled with a curious fear
That I, myself, might have enjoyed them.
@3Te Voila, mon Bourrienne@1, you also shall be immortal.

II

@3To another@1.

And we say good-bye to you also,
For you seem never to have discovered
That your relationship is wholly parasitic;
Yet to our feasts you bring neither
Wit, nor good spirits, nor the pleasing attitudes
Of discipleship.

III

But you, @3bos amic,@1 we keep on,
For to you we owe a real debt:
In spite of your obvious flaws,
You once discovered a moderate chop-house.

IV

@3Iste fuit vir incultus,
Deo laus, quod est sepultus,
Vermes habent eius vultum
A-a-a-a -- A-men@1.
@3Ego autem jovialis
Gaudebo contubernalis
Cum jocunda femina@1.



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