Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SHADES OF NIGHT by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SHADES OF NIGHT WERE FALLING FAST, / AND THE RAIN WA FALLING FASTER
Last Line: UNHAPPILY I'M MARRIED.'
Subject(s): LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH (1807-1882); OLD AGE;
The shades of night were falling fast,
And the rain was falling faster,
When through an Alpine village passed
An Alpine village pastor:
A youth who bore mid snow and ice
A bird that wouldn't chirrup,
And a banner with the strange device —
'Mrs Winslow's soothing syrup.'

'Beware the pass,' the old man said,
'My bold, my desperate fellah;
Dark lowers the tempest overhead,
And you'll want your umbrella;
And the roaring torrent is deep and wide —
You may hear how loud it washes.'
But still that clarion voice replied:
'I've got my old goloshes.'

'Oh, stay,' the maiden said, 'and rest
(For the wind blows from the nor'ward)
Thy weary head upon my breast —
And please don't think I'm forward.'
A tear stood in his bright blue eye,
And he gladly would have tarried;
But still he answered with a sigh:
'Unhappily I'm married.'



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