'FATHER, you seem to have been sleeping fair?" The child uncovered the dimity-curtained window-square And looked out at the dawn, And back at the dying man nigh gone, And propped up in his chair, Whose breathing a robin's "chink" took up in antiphon. The open fireplace spread Like a vast weary yawn above his head, Its thin blue blower waved against his whitening crown, For he could not lie down: He raised him on his arms so emaciated: -- "Yes; I've slept long, my child. But as for rest, Well, that I cannot say. The whole night have I footed field and turnpike-way -- A regular pilgrimage -- as at my best And very briskest day! "'Twas first to Weatherb'ry, to see them there, And thence to King's-Stag, where I joined in a jolly trip to Weydon-Priors Fair: I shot for nuts, bought gingerbreads, cream-cheese; And, not content with these, I went to London: heard the watchmen cry the hours. "I soon was off again, and found me in the bowers Of father's apple-trees, And he shook the apples down: they fell in showers, Whereon he turned, smiled strange at me, as ill at ease; And then you pulled the curtain; and, ah me, I found me back where I wished not to be!" 'Twas told the child next day: "Your father's dead." And, struck, she questioned, "O, That journey, then, did father really go? -- Buy nuts, and cakes, and travel at night till dawn was red, And tire himself with journeying, as he said, To see those old friends that he cared for so?" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SMALLISH SON by HAYDEN CARRUTH THE SOUL'S EXPRESSION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING LORD, HEAR MY PRAYER; A PARAPHRASE OF THE 102ND PSALM by JOHN CLARE THE WIND ON THE HILLS by DORA SIGERSON SHORTER WITH A COPY OF CALVERLEY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS ODES: BOOK 2: ODE 14. THE COMPLAINT by MARK AKENSIDE TO THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON ON HEARING HIM MISPRAISED by MATTHEW ARNOLD |