First of May, clear the way! Baskets, Barrows, Trundles; Take good care, mind the Ware! Betty, where's the bundles? Pots and Kettles, Broken Victuals, Feather Beds, Plaster Heads, Looking Glasses, Torn Mattresses, Spoons and Ladles, Babies' Cradles, Cups and Saucers, Salts and Castors, Hurry, scurry—grave and gay, All must trudge the first of May. Now we start, mind the cart! Shovels, Bedclothes, Bedding; On we go, soft and slow, Like a beggar's wedding! Jointed Stools, Domestic Tools, Chairs unbacked, Tables cracked, Gridiron black, Spit and Jack, Trammels, Hooks, Musty Books, Old Potatoes, Ventilators, Hurry, scurry, grave or gay, On we trudge, the First of May. Now we've got, to the spot, Bellows, Bureau, Settee; Rope untie, mind your eye, Pray, be careful Betty; Lord! what's there? Broken Ware; Decanters dash'd, China smash'd, Pickles spoiled, Carpets soiled, Sideboard scratch'd, Cups unmatch'd, Empty Casks, Broken Flasks, Hurry, scurry—grave or gay, Devil take the First of May. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAMB, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE ON FINDING A FAN by GEORGE GORDON BYRON DAYS TOO SHORT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE SAILOR TO HIS PARROT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE VOYAGE by CAROLINE ATHERTON BRIGGS MASON SONNETS TO LAURA IN LIFE: 156 by PETRARCH INCIDENT AT BRUGES by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |