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William Empson (1906-1984 / England)
Poems of William Empson
| 1. | Aubade | 1/3/2003 |
| 2. | Homage to the British Museum | 1/3/2003 |
| 3. | Just a Smack at Auden | 1/3/2003 |
| 4. | Let It Go | 1/3/2003 |
| 5. | Missing Dates | 1/3/2003 |
| 6. | The Teasers | 1/3/2003 |
| 7. | This Last Pain | 1/3/2003 |
| 8. | Villanelle | 1/3/2003 |
Just a Smack at Auden
Waiting for the end, boys, waiting for the end.
What is there to be or do?
What’s become of me or you?
Are we kind or are we true?
Sitting two and two, boys, waiting for the end.
Shall I build a tower, boys, knowing it will rend
Crack upon the hour, boys, waiting for the end?
Shall I pluck a flower, boys, shall I save or spend?