'AWAKE! I'm off to cities far away,' I said; and rose, on peradventures bent. The chimes played 'Life's a Bumper!' long that day To the measure of my walking as I went: Their sweetness frisked and floated on the lea, As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Awake!' I said. 'I go to take a bride!' - The sun arose behind me ruby-red As I journeyed townwards from the countryside, The chiming bells saluting near ahead. Their sweetness swelled in tripping tings of glee As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Again arise.' I seek a turfy slope, And go forth slowly on an autumn noon, And there I lay her who has been my hope, And think, 'O may I follow hither soon!' While on the wind the chimes come cheerily, Playing out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NEGRO GIRL by IRENE COOPER ALLEN EPIGRAM by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS IN VINCULIS; SONNETS WRITTEN IN AN IRISH PRISON: A DREAM OF GOOD by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT MANIAC'S SONG by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND, MASTER SHAKERLY MARMION, UPON CUPID AND PSYCHE by RICHARD BROME MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE LORD HAYES: TO LORD AND LADY HAYES by THOMAS CAMPION |