Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CHIMES PLAY 'LIFE'S A BUMPER!', by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Awake! I'm off to cities far away Last Line: Playing out 'life's a bumper!' there to me. | ||||||||
'AWAKE! I'm off to cities far away,' I said; and rose, on peradventures bent. The chimes played 'Life's a Bumper!' long that day To the measure of my walking as I went: Their sweetness frisked and floated on the lea, As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Awake!' I said. 'I go to take a bride!' - The sun arose behind me ruby-red As I journeyed townwards from the countryside, The chiming bells saluting near ahead. Their sweetness swelled in tripping tings of glee As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Again arise.' I seek a turfy slope, And go forth slowly on an autumn noon, And there I lay her who has been my hope, And think, 'O may I follow hither soon!' While on the wind the chimes come cheerily, Playing out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEN WHO MARCH AWAY' (SONG OF THE SOLDIERS) by THOMAS HARDY A BROKEN APPOINTMENT by THOMAS HARDY A CHRISTMAS GHOST-STORY; CHRISTMAS-EVE 1899 by THOMAS HARDY A THOUGHT IN TWO MOODS by THOMAS HARDY A THUNDERSTORM IN TOWN by THOMAS HARDY A TRAMPWOMAN'S TRAGEDY by THOMAS HARDY A WIFE IN LONDON by THOMAS HARDY ACCORDING TO THE MIGHTY WORKING by THOMAS HARDY |
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