SUUM CUIQUE

The rain has spoiled the farmer’s day;

Shall sorrow put my books away?  /    my books

Thereby are two days lost:  /                  are lost

Nature shall mind her own affairs;

I will attend my proper cares,

In rain, or sun, or frost.  /                  in rain/or frost

(Poems, 1847)

COMPENSATION

Why should I keep holiday                    

When other men have none?                

Why but because, when these are gay, /     because

I sit and mourn alone?    /                           I sit alone

And why, when mirth unseals all tongues,

Should mine alone be dumb?  /                     dumb

Ah! Late I spoke to silent throngs,                      

And now their hour is come. /                  hour is come

(May-day and Other Pieces, 1867)

LETTERS

Every day brings a ship, /                       every ship

Every ship brings a word; /                     brings a

Well for those who have no fear,  /        fear

Looking seaward well assured

That the word the vessel brings

Is the word they wish to hear. /              wish

(Poems, 1847)

     parentheses #3, 2019