Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EIGHT O'CLOCK by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: HE STOOD, AND HEARD THE STEEPLE
Last Line: ITS STRENGTH, AND STRUCK.
Subject(s): CAPITAL PUNISHMENT; DEATH; HANGING; EXECUTIONS; DEATH PENALTY; DEAD, THE;
He stood, and heard the steeple
Sprinkle the quarters on the morning town.
One, two, three, four, to market-place and people
It tossed them down.

Strapped, noosed, nighing his hour,
He stood and counted them and cursed his luck;
And then the clock collected in the tower
Its strength, and struck.



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