Forbearance
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk?
At rich men’s tables eaten bread and pulse?
Unarmed, faced danger with a heart of trust?
And loved so well a high behavior,
In man or maid, that thou from speech refrained,
Nobility more nobly to repay?
O, be my friend, and teach me to be thine!
About this poem
“Forbearance” was published in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s book “Poems” (J. Munroe & Co., 1847).
About Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803, in Boston. He published many books, including “Nature” (J. Munroe & Co., 1836), “The Conduct of Life” (Ticknor and Fields, 1860) and “English Traits” (Fields, Osgood, & Co., 1869). Emerson died on April 27, 1882.
The Academy of American Poets is a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, whose aim is to make poetry available to a wider audience. Email The Academy at poem-a-day@poets.org.
This poem is in the public domain. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.
