Epitaph I: Poem by Sydney Thompson Dobell

On A Portrait Presented To J. Y. Simpson, M.D. (Afterwards Sir James Simpson)

Unto myself my better self you gave.
I give yourself yourself: but ah, my friend,
In how inverse a ratio! To amend
The unjust return these thanks are all I have,
Except a sigh, when that poor 'all' is o'er,
To feel, alas, no less your debtor than before.

Analysis of this poem