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1858–1935

TO A FRIEND

William Watson

Soon may the edict lapse, that on you lays This dire compulsion of infertile days, This hardest penal toil, reluctant rest! Meanwhile I count you eminently blest,

Happy from labours heretofore well done, Happy in tasks auspiciously begun. For they are blest that have not much to rue — That have not oft mis-heard the prompter's cue,

Stammered and stumbled and the wrong parts played, And life a Tragedy of Errors made.

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TO A FRIEND · William Watson · Poetry Cove