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RESPONSIBILITIES AND OTHER POEMS
RESPONSIBILITIES
[INTRODUCTORY RHYMES]
THE GREY ROCK
THE TWO KINGS
TO A WEALTHY MAN WHO PROMISED A SECOND SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DUBLIN MUNICIPAL GALLERY IF IT WERE PROVED THE PEOPLE WANTED PICTURES
SEPTEMBER 1913
TO A FRIEND WHOSE WORK HAS COME TO NOTHING
PAUDEEN
This collection gathers a poet’s voice at a moment of transition, where personal confession meets ancient legend. The verses move from intimate musings about love, loss, and artistic ambition to grander reflections on history and mythic Ireland. Readers will sense a restless energy as the poet wrestles with the weight of expectation and the pull of imagination. The language is vivid yet measured, inviting listeners to hear the cadence of early twentieth‑century lyricism.
Among the poems, a handful stand out for their blend of satire and solemnity—pieces that address the burdens of public life, the fleeting nature of fame, and the quiet resolve of everyday toil. References to Irish landscapes, legendary figures, and contemporary events mingle, creating a tapestry that feels both rooted and restless. The collection’s tone shifts from wistful nostalgia to sharp criticism, offering a compelling portrait of a poet striving to reconcile duty with desire.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (95K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Meredith Bach, David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2011-07-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1865–1939
A towering voice of Irish poetry and one of the key writers of literary modernism, he joined myth, politics, love, and the supernatural in verse that still feels vivid today. His work ranges from dreamy early lyrics to sharp, unforgettable poems like those of his later years.
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