Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 34. THE NEW MISTRESS, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 34. THE NEW MISTRESS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, sick I am to see you, will you never let me be?
Last Line: Sick.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E.
Subject(s): Army Life; England; Patriotism; Drills & Minor Tactics; English


'Oh, sick I am to see you, will you never let me be?
You may be good for something but you are not good for
me.
Oh, go where you are wanted, for you are not wanted here.
And that. was all the farewell when I parted from my
dear.

'I will go where I am wanted, to a lady born and bred
Who will dress me free for nothing in a uniform of red;
She will not be sick to see me if I only keep it clean:
I will go where I am wanted for a soldier of the Queen.

'I will go where I am wanted, for the sergeant does not
mind;
He may be sick to see me but he treats me very kind:
He gives me beer and breakfast and a ribbon for my cap,
And I never knew a sweetheart spend her money on a
chap.

'I will go where I am wanted, where there's room for one
or two,
And the men are none too many for the work there is to
do;
Where the standing line wears thinner and the dropping
dead lie thick;
And the enemies of England they shall see me and be
sick.'






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