Masques & Phases by Robert Ross
page 72 of 205 (35%)
page 72 of 205 (35%)
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Must be repaid in Hell.
If you think such men winners, We disagree. Farewell. But to the person who _is_ right (and Mrs. Farrer was never in a moment's doubt, though her prosody is influenced sometimes by the sceptical Matthew Arnold) there is no mean reward:-- I sparkle resplendent, A star in His crown, And glitter for ever, A gem of renown. From internal evidence we can gauge her social position, while her views of caste appear in these radical days a trifle _demode_. Her metaphors of sin are all derived from the life of paupers:-- Paupers through their sinful folly Are workers of iniquity, Living on Jehovah's bounty, Wasting in abject poverty. A pauper's funeral their end, No angels waft their souls on high; Rich they were thought on earth, perhaps, Yet far from wealth accursed they lie. Who are the rich? God's Word declares, The men whose treasure is above-- Those humble working _gentlefolk_ |
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