Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A ST. HELENA LULLABY, by RUDYARD KIPLING Recitation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How far is st. Helena from a little child at play? Last Line: And after all your trapesings, child, lie still! Subject(s): Napoleon I (1769-1821) | ||||||||
How far is St Helena from a little child at play? What makes you want to wander there with all the world between? Oh, Mother, call your son again or else he'll run away. (No one thinks of winter when the grass is green!) How far is St Helena from a fight in Paris street? I haven't time to answer now - the men are falling fast. The guns begin to thunder, and the drums begin to beat (If you take the first step you will take the last!) How far is St Helena from the field at Austerlitz? You couldn't hear me if I told - so loud the cannons roar. But not so far for people who are living by their wits. ('Gay go up' means 'gay go down' the wide world o'er!) How far is St Helena from an Emperor of France? I cannot see - I cannot tell - the crowns they dazzle so. The Kings sit down to dinner, and the Queens stand up to dance. (After open weather you may look for snow!) How far is St Helena from the Capes of Trafalgar? A longish way - a longish way - with ten year more to run. It's South across the water underneath a setting star. (What you cannot finish you must leave undone!) How far is St Helena from the Beresina ice? An ill way - a chill way - the ice begins to crack. But not so far for gentlemen who never took advice. (When you can't go forward you must e'en come back!) How far is St Helena from the field of Waterloo? A near way - a clear way - the ship will take you soon. A pleasant place for gentlemen with little left to do. (Morning never tries you till the afternoon!) How far from St Helena to the Gate of Heaven's Grace? That no one knows - that no one knows - and no one ever will. But fold your hands across your heart and cover up your face, And after all your trapesings, child, lie still! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BETRAND AND GOURGAUD TALK OVER OLD TIMES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS BONAPARTISME by KENNETH REXROTH AN ISLAND (SAINT HELENA, 1821) by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON ADVICE TO A RAVEN IN RUSSIA by JOEL BARLOW INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAMP by ROBERT BROWNING NAPEOLON'S FAREWELL; FROM THE FRENCH by GEORGE GORDON BYRON BATTLE OF THE BALTIC by THOMAS CAMPBELL HOHENLINDEN by THOMAS CAMPBELL NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH [OR ENGLISH] SAILOR [BOY] by THOMAS CAMPBELL FUZZY-WUZZY' (SOUDAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE) by RUDYARD KIPLING |
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