Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DUMB WORLD (2), by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DUMB WORLD (2), by                 Poet Analysis    
First Line: Shall I collect for this world's eyes
Last Line: And save the world this worthless lay.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.


Shall I collect for this world's eyes
My sins in birds or butterflies;
Shall I keep useless things around,
For ornament, and sell my hound?
When I give poor dumb things my cares,
Let all men know I've said my prayers.
That man who sells for gain his hound,
May he be robbed and beaten found;
May men that shoot sweet singing-birds
Be robbed of power to utter words;
May men that torture things alive
Live for a hundred years, and have
Their wretched bodies stabbed with pains,
Until their toe-nails pierce their brains.
My love for dumb things is intense:
I cannot walk beside a fence
And see the horses in a row,
Staring, but I must say Hallo!
And when I see two horses lean
Across a gate that stands between
Them as they kiss each other there --
For no man's company I care.
I hate to leave the calf when he,
Licking his tongue, still follows me,
To lick again at my old clothes.
A lamb that lets me stroke his nose
Can make me feel a battle won
That had ten soldiers to my one.
I'd rather see the sheep and kine
Than any troops that march in line,
With all their colours in the light,
Helmets and scabbards shining bright.
When I give robins cheerful words,
I'm pleased to see those grateful birds
Try on their little feet to dance,
And eyeing me with consequence.
Had I at home a talking bird
That would repeat a wicked word,
I would not care a fig or apple
For my own hymns in church or chapel.
Had I a monkey that would drink
My ale and, when I sit to think,
Would mock me with his scornful cries --
I, thinking less, would grow more wise;
With him I'd sit and drink and play,
And save the world this worthless lay.





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