Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 27, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 27, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Is my team ploughing [plowing] / that I used to drive
Last Line: Never ask me whose.
Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E.
Variant Title(s): The Voice From A Grave
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


Is my team ploughing'
That I was used to drive
And hear the harness jingle
When I was man alive?'

Ay, the horses trample,
The harness jingles now;
No change though you lie under
The land you used to plough.

'Is football playing
Along the river shore,
With lads to chase the leather,
Now I stand up no more?'

Ay, the ball is flying,
The lads play heart and soul;
The goal stands up, the keeper
Stands up to keep the goal.

'Is my girl happy,
That I thought hard to leave,
And has she tired of weeping
As she lies down at eve?'

Ay, she lies down lightly,
She lies not down to weep:
Your girl is well contented.
Be still, my lad, and sleep.

'Is my friend hearty,
Now I am thin and pine,
And has he found to sleep in
A better bed than mine?'

Yes, lad, I lie easy,
I lie as lads would choose;
I cheer a dead man's sweetheart,
Never ask me whose.






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