I felt a twinge of joy and glee
On hearing that you died,
Such execrations hurled at me
From your lips must subside.
How so much bile, invective, hate
In one man’s heart took anchor
I could not guess, nor obviate,
How much uncouth, vile rancor.
The paths behind us we have trod
Get covered by new grasses,
And you—farewell to meet your God—
Commit no more trespasses.
I mourn as much as man may do
Newly escaping malice:
Surely there was a charm to you
Beneath the crude and callous.
Rudeness beseemed to you a strength,
Superb self-estimation
As drove your thoughts in breadth and length,
Life one long execration.
Had you but learned to breath a while,
To lessen the invective—
To randomly let loose a smile
Nor seldom nor selective—
The news which came to me a shock
Might have produced more grieving,
But I must mourn while taking stock:
Some pain with you is leaving.