Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THANKS WHILST UNHARNESSING, by FORD MADOX FORD Poet's Biography First Line: West'ring the last silver light doth gleam Last Line: (he closes the stable door and enters the cottage.) Alternate Author Name(s): Hueffer, Ford Hermann; Hueffer, Ford Madox Subject(s): Gratitude; Horseback Riding | ||||||||
I (He gets down from the cart.) WEST'RING the last silver light doth gleam, Whilst in the welling shimmer of the lamp From the tired horse the blanketing of steam Flickers and whirls aloft into the damp Sharp winter darkness. In the deadened air The long, still night doth settle everywhere. And hark! there comes the rapt, sweet, crooning snatches Of song from where the little robin watches Close in the thorn, beyond the ring of light. II (He speaks towards the bushes.) Softest of all the birds that sing at night, For the most mellowest sound, That the long year brings round, Sweet robin. I give thanks and love you best Of birds that nest. (He follows the horse in, humming.) Sing! it is well, though the rest of life be bitter, Sing! (I swill the oats in the trough and loose the girth.) Warble! It is well. (There's a rustle in the litter: That's the old grey rat.) It is well upon the earth. III Clotht-up and snug and warm, a-munching oats Old Tom doth make a comfortable sound, A rhythmic symphony for your sweet notes. (He speaks from the stable door.) Small brother, flit in here, since all around The frost hath gripped the ground; And oh! I would not like to have you die. We's help each other, Little Brother Beady-eye. (The Robin flits in.) ThereSing! Warm and mellow the lanthorn lights the stable. Little brother, sing! In-a-doors beside the hearth. Slippers are a-toast, and the tea's upon the table. Robin when you sing it is well upon the earth. (He closes the stable door and enters the cottage.) | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHITENESS I REMEMBER by SYLVIA PLATH ON THE ROAD TO CHORRERA by ARLO BATES HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS FROM GHENT TO AIX by ROBERT BROWNING ASTROPHEL AND STELLA: 49 by PHILIP SIDNEY RIDING LESSON by HENRY SPLAWN TAYLOR AT THE LATTICE by ALFRED AUSTIN |
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