LISTEN, friend, and I will tell you Why I sometimes seem so glad, Then, without a reason, changing, Soon become so grave and sad. Half my life I live a beggar, Ragged, helpless, and alone; But the other half a monarch, With my courtiers round my throne. Half my life is full of sorrow, Half of joy, still fresh and new; One of these lives is a fancy, But the other one is true. While I live and feast on gladness, Still I feel the thought remain, This must soon end, -- nearer, nearer, Comes the life of grief and pain. While I live a wretched beggar, One bright hope my lot can cheer; Soon, soon thou shalt have thy kingdom, Brighter hours are drawing near. So you see my life is twofold, Half a pleasure, half a grief; Thus all joy is somewhat tempered, And all sorrow finds relief. Which, you ask me, is the real life, Which the dream, -- the joy, or woe? Hush, friend! it is little matter, And, indeed -- I never know. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FATHER O'FLYNN by ALFRED PERCEVAL GRAVES WHEN HE WOULD HAVE HIS VERSES READ by ROBERT HERRICK BROWNING AT ASOLO by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON ON PLAYWRIGHT (1) by BEN JONSON SONNET by MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI THE HAND OF LINCOLN by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN EXTEMPORE EFFUSION UPON THE DEATH OF JAMES HOGG by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |