by Edgar Lee Masters (1868 - 1950)

Mrs. George Reece 
Language: English 
To this generation I would say:
Memorize some bit of verse of truth or beauty.
It may serve a turn in your life.
My husband had nothing to do
With the fall of the bank—he was only cashier.
The wreck was due to the president, Thomas Rhodes,
And his vain, unscrupulous son.
Yet my husband was sent to prison,
And I was left with the children,
To feed and clothe and school them.
And I did it, and sent them forth
Into the world all clean and strong,
And all through the wisdom of Pope, the poet:
“Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”

Confirmed with Masters, Edgar Lee. Spoon River Anthology. New York: The Macmillan company, 1916; Bartleby.com, 1999. www.bartleby.com/84/89.html.


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Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in English, adapted by Frances Fenton [an adaptation] ; composed by Roger S. Keele.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2016-05-20
Line count: 14
Word count: 106