Richard Cory (poem)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Cory is a narrative poem written by Edwin Arlington Robinson, describing a fictional character who is wealthy but ultimately commits suicide for unknown reasons. The poem was adapted by Simon and Garfunkel for their song, "Richard Cory"; the song was also recorded by Van Morrison and Them.
[edit] Text
WHENEVER Richard Cory went down town
We people on the pavement looked at him
He was a gentleman from sole to crown
Clean favored, and imperially slim
And he was always quietly arrayed
And he was always human when he talked
But still he fluttered pulses when he said
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king
And admirably schooled in every grace
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place
So on we worked, and waited for the light
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night
Went home and put a bullet through his head
