Dorcas Gustine

Edgar Lee Masters 1868 (Garnett) – 1950 (Elkins Park)



I was not beloved of the villagers,
But all because I spoke my mind,
And met those who transgressed against me
With plain remonstrance, hiding nor nurturing
Nor secret griefs nor grudges.
That act of the Spartan boy is greatly praised,
Who hid the wolf under his cloak,
Letting it devour him, uncomplainingly.
It is braver, I think, to snatch the wolf forth
And fight him openly, even in the street,
Amid dust and howls of pain.
The tongue may be an unruly member --
But silence poisons the soul.
Berate me who will -- I am content.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 11, 2023

30 sec read
87

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFGHIJKLHM
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 527
Words 100
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

Edgar Lee Masters

Edgar Lee Masters was an American poet, biographer, and dramatist. more…

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