Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Poem by the Swedish writer
Anna Maria Lenngren (1754-1817)


        The wearisome world

        Our vicar I observed the other day
        one morning, while as yet he lay
        stretched out exhausted ’twixt two sheets.
        His cheeks were rosy pink in hue,
        his podgy arms well-marrowed too,
        his massive belly hid from view
        surged t’ward his chin’s full-larded pleats.
A table by his bed, where breakfast was laid out
        stood ready for this man devout,
with butter and with chicken, such delicious food.
        This did the reverend set about
        and judged the sweet liqueur quite good.
        After displaying zeal aright,
        with swig on swig and bite on bite,
on his soft pillow did he sink back in despair
and cry out: “Mighty God, what is this life of clay?
        A fight ’gainst vanity and sin’s foul snare.
        Oh Lord, Thy strength grant me I pray
        so wearisome a world to bear!”

To see the original poem, go to here

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