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Ernest Christopher Dowson

I lived from 1867-1900. I was from England, and am in the English category.

English poet. He attended Queens College, Oxford, but left in 1888 without taking a degree. Dowson's life was tragic. In 1894 his father died, and his mother committed suicide six months later. Dowson himself was consumptive, alcoholic, and debt-ridden. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 32. One of the fin-de-siècle decadents, Dowson wrote fragile, sensuous poetry voicing regret for the passing of youth and beauty, the denial of love, and the rejection of pleasure. His best-known poem is “Non Sum Qualis Eram Bonae sub Regno Cynarae,” with its refrain, “I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.” A Roman Catholic, Dowson wrote some very fine religious poetry. He also made some notable translations from the French and wrote a novel and a play.

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  • Villanelle of His Lady’s Treasures
    I took her dainty eyes, as well
    As silken tendrils of her hair:
    25 lines, 7 comments
  • Vitae Summa Brevis Spem Nos Vetat Incohare Longam
    The brief sum of life forbids us the hope of enduring long - Horace
    They are not long, the weeping and the laughter,
    9 lines
  • Villanelle Of Sunset
    Come hither, child, and rest,
    This is the end of day,
    19 lines
  • Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae
    Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine
    There fell thy shadow, Cynara! thy breath was shed
    26 lines, 2 comments
  • Growth
    I watched the glory of her childhood change,
    Half-sorrowful to find the child I knew,
    12 lines
  • A Valediction
    If we must part,
    Then let it be like this.
    14 lines, 1 comment
  • Beyond
    Love's aftermath! I think the time is now
    That we must gather in, alone, apart
    11 lines
  • Villanelle of the Poet's Road
    Wine and woman and song,
    Three things garnish our way:
    19 lines, 1 comment
  • Dregs
    The fire is out, and spent the warmth thereof,
    (This is the end of every song man sings!)
    10 lines
  • Exchanges
    All that I had I brought,
    Little enough I know;
    15 lines
1 - 10 of 83  Show all by written, popularity, title, first line

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