Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RUNNING TO PARADISE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS

Poet Analysis

First Line: AS I CAME OVER WINDY GAP
Last Line: AND THERE THE KING IS BUT AS THE BEGGAR.
Subject(s): HEAVEN; PARADISE;
As I came over Windy Gap
They threw a halfpenny into my cap,
For I am running to Paradise;
And all that I need do is to wish
And somebody puts his hand in the dish
To throw me a bit of salted fish:
@3And there the king is but as the beggar@1.

My brother Mourteen is worn out
With skelping his big brawling lout,
And I am running to Paradise;
A poor life, do what he can,
And though he keep a dog and a gun,
A serving-maid and a serving-man:
@3And there the king is but as the beggar@1.

Poor men have grown to be rich men,
And rich men grown to be poor again,
And I am running to Paradise;
And many a darling wit's grown dull
That tossed a bare heel when at school,
Now it has filled an old sock full:
@3And there the king is but as the beggar@1.

The wind is old and still at play
While I must hurry upon my way,
For I am running to Paradise;
Yet never have I lit on a friend
To take my fancy like the wind
That nobody can buy or bind:
@3And there the king is but as the beggar@1.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net