Viking Gentry

Rudyard Kipling, If

 - Alfred Lord Tennyson, A Farewell

Leonard Cohen, Anthem

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow it’s mirth, But has trouble enough of it’s own. Sing, and the hills will answer; Sing, it is lost on the air. The echoes bound to a joyful sound, But shrink from voicing care. Rejoice, and men will seek you; Grieve, and they turn and go. They want measure of all your pleasure, But they do not need your woe. Be glad, and your friends are many; Be sad, and you lose them all. There are none to decline your nectared wine, But alone you must drink life’s gall. Feast, and your halls are crowded; Fast, and the world goes by. Succeed and give, and it helps you live, But no man can help you die. There is room in the halls of pleasure For a long and lordly train. But one by one we must all file on Through the narrow aisles of pain.

Sara Teasdale, There Will Come Soft Rains

Edna St. Vincent Millay, What Lips My Lips Have Kissed

When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted, To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this. The dew of the morning Sank chill on my brow - It felt like the warning Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken, And share it it's shame. They name thee before me, A knell to mine ear; A shudder comes o'er me - Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee, Who knew thee too well; Long, long shall I rue thee Too deeply to tell. In secret we met - In silence I grieve That thy heart could forget, Thy spirit deceive. If I should meet thee After long years, How should I greet thee? With silence and tears.

- Robert Browning Hamilton, Along the Road

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Latin

- Rose Milligan, Dust if you Must