Although I Put Away His Life
poem 366
Although I Put Away His Life - meaning Summary
Devotion After Separation
The speaker imagines having renounced a lover whose life was too grand for her, yet she still envisions serving him in small, devoted ways. She pictures herself tending his comforts, performing humble errands joyfully, and even taking pride in obeying his slightest wishes. Domestic images — boots, apron, sticks for the cottage — ground the devotion in everyday detail. The closing irony turns the pledge into a moral lesson: she will carry this learned appetite for possession or desire to heaven, teaching the angels the very avarice he taught her.
Read Complete AnalysesAlthough I put away his life An Ornament too grand For Forehead low as mine, to wear, This might have been the Hand That sowed the flower, he preferred Or smoothed a homely pain, Or pushed the pebble from his path Or played his chosen tune On Lute the least the latest But just his Ear could know That whatsoe’er delighted it, I never would let go The foot to bear his errand A little Boot I know Would leap abroad like Antelope With just the grant to do His weariest Commandment A sweeter to obey, Than Hide and Seek Or skip to Flutes Or all Day, chase the Bee Your Servant, Sir, will weary The Surgeon, will not come The World, will have its own to do The Dust, will vex your Fame The Cold will force your tightest door Some February Day, But say my apron bring the sticks To make your Cottage gay That I may take that promise To Paradise, with me To teach the Angels, avarice, You, Sir, taught first to me.
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