Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 7, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN



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A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 7, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When smoke stood up from ludlow
Last Line: And that will be the best.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E.
Variant Title(s): The Blackbird
Subject(s): Birds


When smoke stood up from Ludlow,
And mist blew off from Teme,
And blithe afield to ploughing
Against the morning beam
I strode beside my team,

The blackbird in the coppice
Looked out to see me stride,
And hearkened as I whistled
The trampling team beside,
And fluted and replied:

Lie down, lie down, young yeoman;
What use to rise and rise?
Rise man a thousand mornings
Yet down at last he lies,
And then the man is wise.'

I heard the tune he sang me,
And spied his yellow bill;
I picked a stone and aimed it
And threw it with a will:
Then the bird was. still.

Then my soul within me
Took up the blackbird's strain,
And still beside the horses
Along the dewy lane
It sang the song again:

Lie down, lie down, young yeoman;
The sun moves always west;
The road one treads to labour
Will lead one home to rest,
And that will be the best.'






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