Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 4. REVEILLE, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 4. REVEILLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Wake: the silver dusk returning
Last Line: There'll be time enough to sleep.
Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E.
Subject(s): Morning


Wake: the silver dusk returning
Up the beach of darkness brims,
And the ship of sunrise burning
Strands upon the eastern rims.

Wake: the vaulted shadow shatters,
Trampled to the floor it spanned,
And the tent of night in tatters
Straws the sky-pavilioned land.

Up, lad, up, 'tis late for lying:
Hear the drums of morning play;
Hark, the empty highways crying
Who'll beyond the hills away?'

Towns and countries woo together,
Forelands beacon, belfries call;
Never lad that trod on leather
Lived to feast his heart with all.

Up, lad: thews that lie and cumber
Sunlit pallets never thrive;
Morns abed and daylight slumber
Were not meant for man alive.

Clay lies still, but blood's a rover;
Breath's a ware that will not keep.
Up, lad: when the journey's over
There'll be time enough to sleep.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net