Help with an old poem.

[keithlbw]

Can any answerbankers identify an old poem I think it may be from the 1930s or 40s.

May the damned ride their earwigs to hell

and let me not join them,

for why should I covet their pride or in meaness purloin them.

[RevShirls]

I don't know the poem but an internet search gives the title of this poem as "Rock Pilgrim" by Herbert Palmer.

[keithlbw]

Thanks RevShirls you have saved me a few sleepless nights and will make an elderly neighbour of mine very happy tomorrow when I tell her we've found it.I still haven't found the words but that should be a lot easier now thanks.

[RevShirls]

That's great, keithlbw. Here is a wee bit more about the poet Herbert Edward Palmer including a list of his books, so perhaps that can help you with your search a bit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Edward_Palmer

[Golem]

You'll find this poem in The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse chosen by Philip Larkin, Oxford University Press 1973.

[keithlbw]

  Thanks Golem much obliged