Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LORD DURHAM'S RETURN, by THOMAS HOOD Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The inconstant is come! Last Line: At lord durham's return! Subject(s): Homecoming | ||||||||
"THE Inconstant is come!" It's in every man's mouth; From the East to the West, From the North to the South; With a flag at her head, And a flag at her stern; Whilst the Telegraph hints At Lord Durham's return. Turn wherever you will, It's the great talk and small; Going up to Cornhill, Going down to Whitehall; If you ask for the news, It's the first you will learn, And the last you will lose, My Lord Durham's return. The fat pig in the sty, And the ox in the stall, The old dog at the door, And the cat on the wall; The wild bird in the bush, And the hare in the fern, All appear to have heard Of Lord Durham's return. It has flown all abroad, It is known to goose-pens, It is bray'd by the ass, It is cackled by hens: The Pintadas, indeed, Make it quite their concern, All exclaiming, "Come back!" At Lord Durham's return. It's the text over wine, And the talk after tea; All are singing one tune, Though not set in one key. E'en the Barbers unite, Other gossip to spurn, Whilst they lather away At Lord Durham's return. All the Painters leave off, And the Carpenters go, And the Tailor above Joins the Cobbler below, In whole gallons of beer To expend what they earn While discussing one pint, My Lord Durham's return. It is timed in the Times, With the News has a run, Goes the round of the Globe, And is writ in the Sun. Like the Warren on walls, Fancy seems to discern, In great letters of chalk, "Try Lord Durham's return!" Not a murder comes out; The reporters repine; And a hanging is scarce Worth a penny a line. If a Ghost reappeared With his funeral urn, He'd be thrown in the shade By Lord Durham's return. No arrival could raise Such a fever in town; There's a talk about 'Change Of the Stocks going down; But the Butter gets up Just as if in the churn, It forgot it should come In Lord Durham's return. The most silent are loud; The most sleepy awake; Very odd that one man Such a bustle can make! But the schools all break up, And both Houses adjourn, To debate more at ease On Lord Durham's return. Is he well? is he ill? Is he cheerful or sad? Has he spoken his mind Of the breeze that he had? It was rather too soon With home-sickness to yearn; There will come something yet Of Lord Durham's return. There's a sound in the wind Since that ship is come home; There are signs in the air Like the omens of Rome; And the lamps in the street, And the stars as they burn, Seem to give a flare-up At Lord Durham's return! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COMING HOME AT TWILIGHT IN LATE SUMMER by JANE KENYON THE NEGATIVES by PHILIP LEVINE THE WATER'S CHANT by PHILIP LEVINE THE EXILE'S RETURN by ROBERT LOWELL THE RETURN by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TAKING THE TRAIN HOME by WILLIAM MATTHEWS I SHALL RETURN by CLAUDE MCKAY |
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