Edwin Arlington Robinson

An Old Story

STRANGE that I did not know him then.
    That friend of mine! 
I did not even show him then
    One friendly sign;

But cursed him for the ways he had
    To make me see 
My envy of the praise he had
    For praising me.

I would have rid the earth of him
    Once, in my pride... 
I never knew the worth of him
    Until he died.