American poet (1898-1943)
And I have listened also, in my youth,
And more than once or twice,
To the trained speech, the excellent advice,
The clear, dramatic statement of the sum,
And, after it was dumb,
Heard, like a spook, the curious echo come,
The echo of unkempt and drawling mirth
--The lounging mirth of cracker-barrel men,
Snowed in by winter, spitting at the fire,
And telling the disreputable truth
With the sad eye that marks the perfect liar--
And, by that laughter, was set free again.
STEPHEN VINCENT BENÉT
Western Star
Why have you taken my heart from me?
I am not justice nor loyalty.
I am the shape of the weathercock,
That all winds come to and all winds mock.
You are the image of the sea-carved stone,
The silent thing that can suffer alone,
The little women are easier,
The easy women make lighter love,
I will not take your face to war,
I will not carry your cast-off glove.
STEPHEN VINCENT BENÉT
John Brown's Body
For Lethe is for no man set,
And in Hell may no man forget.
STEPHEN VINCENT BENÉT
"The Quality of Courage", Young Adventure
The fight was done. Even gods tire of fighting.
STEPHEN VINCENT BENÉT
"The Quality of Courage", Young Adventure