NOW my time has come to die, Good, my masters, hear, This a sinner's litany, Shocking to your ear: Life hath played for me to dance Up and down the line -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was fine!) Love came swinging to my call -- Black-eyed love and bold; Gave me scarlet lips to kiss, Both her hands to hold. Fast and faster fell our feet To the music's beat -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was sweet!) I have danced it through the world -- Ah, the merry tune! Danced the red sun down the West, Danced away the moon. Could I cavil at the price? Out on souls so mean! (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance was keen!) Beggared now, my masters all, Cry your cold dispraise; Raise your eyes and count your gold, Trudge your dreary ways. I, the pauper, richer far, Envy not nor pine -- (Eh, I paid the fiddler, sirs, But the dance -- was mine!) | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LOVER COMFORTETH HIMSELF WITH THE WORTHINESS OF HIS LOVE by HENRY HOWARD THE POTATOES' DANCE by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY EROTION by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: PROEM by ALFRED TENNYSON PATTY MORGAN THE MILKMAID'S STORY: 'LOOK AT THE CLOCK!' by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM A BERKSHIRE HOLIDAY by CLIFFORD BAX TO HELEN KELLER by FRANCES BEEBE TRAGEDIES by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON A LETTER, ON HIS DEPARTURE FORM LONDON; TO R.L., ESQ. by JOHN BYROM |