A generation will pass
before the sky will be
perfectly clear of
clouds for his shining.
However, what's a gen-
eration to a sun?
Oh, let mee not serve so, as those men serve
Whom honours smoakes at once fatten and sterve;
Poorly enrich't with great mens words or lookes;
Nor so write my name in thy loving bookes
As those Idolatrous flatterers, which still
Their Princes stiles, with many Realmes fulfill
Whence they no tribute have, and where no sway.
Such services I offer as shall pay
Themselves, I hate dead names: O then let mee
Favourite in ordinary, or no favourite bee.
T.E. Lawrence
to the widow of
Thomas Hardy
15 January 1928
The Selected Letters
Malcolm Brown, editor
W.W. Norton & Company, 1989©
John Donne
ca 1598
Elegy VI
1-10
The Complete Poetry
and Selected Prose ..
Charles M. Coffin
editor
Random House, 1952©
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