Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN TOWN, by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN TOWN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Toiling in town now is 'horrid'
Last Line: Toiling in town now is 'horrid.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Cities; Urban Life


'The blue fly sung in the pane.' -- TENNYSON.

TOILING in Town now is 'horrid,'
(There is that woman again!) --
June in the zenith is torrid,
Thought gets dry in the brain.

There is that woman again:
'Strawberries! fourpence a pottle!'
Thought gets dry in the brain;
Ink gets dry in the bottle.

'Strawberries! fourpence a pottle!'
Oh for the green of a lane! --
Ink gets dry in the bottle;
'Buzz' goes a fly in the pane!

Oh for the green of a lane,
Where one might lie and be lazy!
'Buzz' goes a fly in the pane;
Bluebottles drive me crazy!

Where one might lie and be lazy,
Careless of Town and all in it! --
Bluebottles drive me crazy:
I shall go mad in a minute!

Careless of Town and all in it,
With some one to soothe and to still you; --
I shall go mad in a minute;
Bluebottle, then I shall kill you!

With some one to soothe and to still you,
As only one's feminine kin do, --
Bluebottle, then I shall kill you:
There now! I've broken the window!

As only one's feminine kin do, --
Some muslin-clad Mabel or May! --
There now! I've broken the window!
Bluebottle's off and away!

Some muslin-clad Mabel or May,
To dash one with eau de Cologne; --
Bluebottle's off and away;
And why should I stay here alone!

To dash one with eau de Cologne,
All over one's eminent forehead; --
And why should I stay here alone!
Toiling in Town now is 'horrid.'





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