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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I WAS SICK AND LAY A-BED
Last Line: THE PLEASANT LAND OF COUNTERPANE.
Subject(s): BEDS; CHILDREN; PLAY; SICKNESS; CHILDHOOD; ILLNESS;

WHEN I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.



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