Living
False and True
From The Old Soldier's Story (1915)
One said: "Here is my hand to lean upon
As long as you may need it." And one said:
"Believe me true to you till I am dead."
And one, whose dainty way it was to fawn
About my face, with mellow fingers drawn
Most soothingly o'er brow and drooping head,
Sighed tremulously: "Till my breath is fled
Know I am faithful!" ... Now, all these are gone
And many like to them--and yet I make
No bitter moan above their grassy graves--
Alas! they are not dead for me to take
Such sorry comfort!--but my heart behaves
Most graciously, since one who never spake
A vow is true to me for true love's sake.
Cite this poem
MLA
Riley, James Whitcomb. “False and True.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/riley/448/.
Chicago
Riley, James Whitcomb. “False and True.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/riley/448/.
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