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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AND AFTERWARDS (A SAVAGE SORT OF SONG ON THE ROAD) by FORD MADOX FORD

First Line: ONCE I WAS A GALLANT AND BOLD I
Last Line: "BUT I'LL NEVER AGAIN,"" ETC."
Subject(s): CHANGE; MAN-WOMAN RELATIONSHIPS; MALE-FEMALE RELATIONS;

"ONCE @3I was a gallant and bold I
And you so tender and true,
But I'll never again be the old I
Nor you the old you.@1

I shall go lounging along on the edge
Of the grass. ... You'll loiter along by the hedge.
I shall go dogged through dust and the dirt
Like an ass in my moods.
You with a new sweetheart at your skirt
Ev'ry few roods. ...
@3"Once I was a gallant," etc.@1

We'll maybe jog along together
A long way;
Maybe put up with the weather together,
Better or worse
As it chances day by day,
Or maybe part with a kick and a curse
I and you,
After a turning or two. ...
@3"But I'll never again," etc.@1



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