by Lascelles Abercrombie (1881 - 1938)
Epitaph
Language: English
Sir, you should notice me: I am the Man; I am Good Fortune: I am satisfied. All I desired, more than I could desire, I have: everything has gone right with me. Life was a hiding-place that played me false; I croucht ashamed, and still was seen and scorned: But now I am not seen. I was a fool, And now I know what wisdom dare not know: For I know Nothing. I was a slave, and now I have ungoverned freedom and the wealth That cannot be conceived: for I have Nothing. I lookt for beauty and I longed for rest, And now I have perfection: nay, I am Perfection: I am Nothing, I am dead.
Text Authorship:
- by Lascelles Abercrombie (1881 - 1938), "Epitaph", appears in Twelve Idylls and Other Poems, first published 1928 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Richard Orton (b. 1940), "Epitaph", 1962 [ baritone, oboe, horn, and violoncello ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2026-02-21
Line count: 14
Word count: 117