Cares

Having certain cares to drown,     To the sea I took them down:     And I threw them in the wave,     That engulfed them like a grave.     Swiftly then I plied the oar     With a light heart to the shore.     But behind me came my foes:     Like a nine-days corpse each rose,     And (a ghastly sight to see!)     Clutched the boat and grined at me!     With a heavy heart, alack,     To the land I bore them back.     Not in Water or in Wine     Can I drown these cares of mine.     But some day, for good and sure,     I shall bury them secure,     Where the soil is rich and brown,     With a stone to keep them down,     And to let their end be known,     Have my name carved on the stone;     So that passers-by may say,     Here lie cares that had their day,     And sometimes by moonlight wan,     I may sit that stone upon.     With a spectres solemn phlegm,     In my shroud, and laugh at them;     Or, who knows, when all is said?     Maybe weep because theyre dead.