"Even This Shall Pass Away" by Theodore Tilton (poetry reading)

This is by request. Theodore Tilton was a religious reformer, an advocate for women's rights and an abolitionist. He was involved in what was called the greatest scandal of his time.

One of his colleagues, the preacher Henry Ward Beecher, leader of the Plymouth Bretheren, had an adulterous affair with Tilton's wife, Elizabeth - and Tilton forgave her and rationalised the affair in the name of "free love". He himself had been playing away from home, skinny-dipping with an infamous supporter of free love, Victoria Woodhull. Free Love was an inflammatory concept in those days.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ward_Beecher

Beecher's sister was Harriet Beecher Stow, who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, and she was even more celebrated as a moralist and general do-gooder. It all came out and Beecher was denounced for not practising what he preached.

Tilton was forced to sue Beecher for adultery, but things went in Beecher's favour. It was all a huge scandal which preoccupied America for the best part of a year.

Tilton, who was by today's standards comparatively innocent because he hadn't compromised his principles, lost his case and was shamed into leaving the country. He fled to France, taking Elizabeth along with him, and lived in Paris for the rest of his life.

At that point he might have had second thoughts, realised that love is never really free, and written another poem with the punch-line: "Though all things pass away, some things pass away more quickly and easily than others." It isn't as neat or snappy and it doesn't scan - but ain't it the truth?

The idea that there is great wisdom in the consoling phrase "This too shall pass" was not original. In fact, it's as old as grass. Abe Lincoln told a similar story.

Read more about it here:
http://snakeoilgraphics.com/NightStick/post/The-Beecher-Tilton-Scandal.aspx
and here:
http://virtualvictorian.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

The picture is the Southern Gate of Ephesus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Once in Persia reigned a King,
Who upon his signet ring
Graved a maxim true and wise,
Which, if held before his eyes,
Gave him counsel, at a glance,
Fit for every change or chance:
Solemn words, and these are they:
"Even this shall pass away!'"

Trains of camels through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarkand;
Fleets of galleys through the seas
Brought him pearls to rival these.
But he counted little gain
Treasures of the mine or main.
"What is wealth?" the King would say;
"Even this shall pass away.'"

In the revels of his court,
At the zenith of the sport,
When the palms of all his guests
Burned with clapping at his jests,
He, amid his figs and wine,
Cried, "O loving friends of mine!
Pleasure comes, but not to stay:
"Even this shall pass away.'"

Lady fairest ever seen
Was the bride he crowned his queen.
Pillowed on the marriage-bed,
Whispering to his soul, he said,
"Though a bridegroom never pressed
Dearer bosom to his breast,
Mortal flesh must come to clay:
"Even this shall pass away.'"

Fighting on a furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield.
Soldiers with a loud lament
Bore him bleeding to his tent.
Groaning from his wounded side,
"Pain is hard to bear," he cried,
"But with patience, day by day,
"Even this shall pass away.'"

Towering in the public square
Twenty cubits in the air,
Rose his statue carved in stone.
Then the King, disguised, unknown,
Gazing at his sculptured name,
Asked himself, "And what is fame?
Fame is but a slow decay:
"Even this shall pass away.'"

Struck with palsy, sere and old,
Waiting at the Gates of Gold,
Spake he with his dying breath,
"Life is done, but what is Death?"
Then, in answer to the King,
Fell a sunbeam on his ring,
Showing by a heavenly ray --
"Even this shall pass away."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Even This Shall Pass Away
• King's Ring
• Theodore
• Tilton

[JoyfulSorrows]

This is a great poem, brilliantly read by SpokenVerse, as always. I was just wondering, in the third line, I've seen some places render it as "strange and wise" instead of "true and wise" as you did. Why is there this difference in the wording?

[SpokenVerse]

@JoyfulSorrows I hadn't seen the other version. No real difference to the overall meaning, I'd say.

[strauss12345]

Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much,

[langstonify]

Thanks for this one!

[carpentun]

I love your channel and always look forward to new readings. In particular, I enjoy your comments about the selections. Though SpokenVerse, your amazing poetic tribute, may, like the Temple of Artemis, one day 'pass away,' you have created something worthy of...a modern Library of Celsus? Best regards.

[alchemistra]

The octave is one of the most appealing poetry stanzas. I really enjoyed your reading of this.

[arvin20071]

Thank you for posting this philosophical gem! It reminds me of the saying that the only thing that is constant is change.

[vudu8ball]

My wife is undergoing chemo therapy and not doing to well with it. I played this while she was in the room and it gave her strength. Thanks.

[theRoseofmyheart]

I enjoyed that very much.

Thank you

[sonofwalt]

Ah, the commentary. Thank you. Things have not changed much in this day of Twitter, have they?