A Breach Of Friendship Poem by Edgar Albert Guest

A Breach Of Friendship

Rating: 4.6


‘TIS friendship's test to guard the name
Of him you love from all attack,
As you are to his face, the same
To be when you're behind his back.

Now good old loyal Jimmy Green,
A traitor to you have I been;
As false as Arnold to my trust,
Your name I've trampled in the dust.
Last night I lingered out till two,
And said that I had been with you,
And then straightway my wife began
To prove to me that you're no man.
'What, out again,' said she, 'with Green!
No decent man with him is seen!
No man who valued much his home
With him would ever care to roam,
But for the children, long ago
His own wife would have quit, I know;
His only friends are loafers, who
Don't care what vicious things they do;
He'd steal, he'd lie, he's insincere.'
And all I said was: 'Yes, my dear.'

'Who else was with you, tell me pray?
Come, answer me, and right away!'
And then I muttered, 'Freddie Brown,'
And promptly turned poor Freddie down.
'What, Brown,' she screamed, 'that low-down thing
Who all his life has had his fling!
That selfish brute who doesn't care
What shabby clothes his wife must wear
So long as he can spend his pay
And turn the night hours into day!
I'd never go about the town
And tell that I had been with Brown;
I've always said his hang-dog look
Betrayed the fact that he's a crook.
And you with him! Of all men, you!
I wonder now what next you'll do?
You know Fred Brown's a man to fear.'
And all I said was: 'Yes, my dear.'

'Who else was with you all this night?'
She asked, and I said, 'Billy White.'
And Billy White was next to fall
Before her rhetoric in the hall.
I don't remember now just what
She said of Bill, but 'twas a lot.
Perhaps I should have argued back,
And spared my friends from her attack.
Perhaps I should have pointed out
That they are men beyond all doubt,
Men who have won their share of fame,
That each one bears an honored name.
Perhaps I should have argued there
And proved her charges most unfair;
But it was two, as I have said,
And I was tired and wished for bed;
So by the short route chose to steer,
And all I said was: 'Yes, my dear.'

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Kumarmani Mahakul 01 September 2018

Perhaps I should have pointed out That they are men beyond all doubt, Men who have won their share of fame, That each one bears an honored name.....touch tou expression with nice theme. Beautiful poem has been shared.

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Glen Kappy 01 September 2018

This was a pleasant narrative to read and wryly humorous for me, but as I finished it struck me it was lighter in feel than the first stanza led me to anticipate. -GK

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Anil Kumar Panda 01 September 2018

'Men who have won their share of fame, That each one bears an honored name. Perhaps I should have argued there And proved her charges most unfair; '..are vry thought provoking lines. Enjoyed the lovely poem.

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Edward Kofi Louis 01 September 2018

Who else was with you? ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

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Muzahidul Reza 01 September 2018

Breach Of Friendship. well penned, thanks for sharing

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Nabakishore Dash 05 January 2022

Very good poem, enjoyed reading it.

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Chinedu Dike 05 January 2022

A piece of great elegance, exquisitely crafted with artistic brilliance. A masterful creation.......

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Khairul Ahsan 01 September 2018

Loved the satirical tone of the poem. 'Perhaps I should have argued there And proved her charges most unfair; But it was two, as I have said, And I was tired and wished for bed; So by the short route chose to steer, And all I said was: 'Yes, my dear.'' - The poet honestly confesses his failure to do what he was supposed to do. At the same time he clearly depicts how tiring it could be to live with a nagging wife!

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Julius Saidu 01 September 2018

I love this..............

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Baquee Billah Ahmed 01 September 2018

Too Good......... Thanks for sharing.........

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Edgar Albert Guest

Edgar Albert Guest

Birmingham / England
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