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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PRODIGALS, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Princes! And you, most valorous Last Line: Give us -- ah! Give us -- but yesterday! Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin | |||
'PRINCES! -- and you, most valorous, Nobles and Barons of all degrees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us, -- Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask or of gold or fees; Harry us not with the hounds we pray; Lo, -- for the surcote's hem we seize, -- Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' 'Dames most delicate, amorous! Damosels blithe as the belted bees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us, -- Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask of the things that please; Weary are we, and worn, and gray; Lo, -- for we clutch and we clasp your knees, -- Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' 'Damosels -- Dames, be piteous!' (But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) 'Hear us, O Knights magnanimous!' (But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.) Nothing they gat or of hope or ease, But only to beat on the breast and say: -- 'Life we drank to the dregs and lees; Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday!' ENVOY. YOUTH, take heed to the prayer of these! Many there be by the dusty way, -- Many that cry to the rocks and seas 'Give us -- ah! give us -- but Yesterday! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A GAGE D'AMOUR by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON A GARDEN SONG by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON ARS VICTRIX (IMITATED FROM THEOPHILE GAUTIER) by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON BEFORE SEDAN by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON DORA VERSUS ROSE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON GROWING GRAY by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW; IN MEMORIAM by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON IN AFTER DAYS; RONDEAU by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE BALLAD OF PROSE AND RHYME by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON WHEN THERE IS PEACE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON |
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