POETS Main Page INDEX of Poets INDEX of Titles & First Lines BELLOC menu

Belloc

 

Hilaire Belloc
1870-1953

"Sonnet on Being Rich"
(Sonnet 34)

 

Would that I had 300,000 (Pounds)
      Invested in some strong security;
A Midland Country House with formal grounds,
      A Town House, and a House beside the sea,
And one in Spain, and one in Normandy,
      And Friends innumerable at my call
And youth serene – and underneath it all
      One steadfast, passionate flame to nurture me.

Then would I chuck for good my stinking trade
      Of writing tosh at 1s. 6d. a quire!
And soar like young Bellerophon arrayed
      High to the filmy Heavens of my desire ....
           But that's all over. Here's the world again.
           Bring me the Blotter. Fill the fountain-pen.

Buy Hilaire Belloc's poetry

POETS Main Page INDEX of Poets INDEX of Titles & First Lines BELLOC menu