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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MEN AND MONKEYS, by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON Poet's Biography First Line: The hawthorn lane was full of flower Last Line: Until they passed over the brow of the hill. Alternate Author Name(s): Duclaux, Madame Emile; Darmesteter, Mary; Robinson, A. Mary F. Subject(s): Organ-grinders; Hurdy-gurdy Men | |||
THE hawthorn lane was full of flower; Across the hedge, the apple-trees Sent down with every gust of breeze A light, loose-petalled blossom-shower. The wide green edges of the lane Were filmed with kedlock-flowers, and white Archangels tall, the bees' delight, Sprang lustier for the morning's rain. The scent of May was heavy-sweet; The noon poured down upon the land. The nightingales on either hand Called, and were silent in the heat. The herds, the flowers, the nightingales All drowsed; and I upon the edge Of grass beneath the flowering hedge Lay dreaming of its shoots and trails. When, starting at the sound of feet, I saw the Italian vagrants pass; The monkey, man, and peasant-lass, Who figure on our village street -- At race-time in the spring; nor song, Caper, nor hurdy-gurdy tune Seemed left in them this blazing noon As wearily they trudged along. They did not pause to look upon The apple-blossom and the may; They saw the road that reached away Thro' leagues of dust, aye on and on. They did not even stop to hear The rare sweet call of the nightingale; The hurdy-gurdy's squeak and yell Was too accustomed in their ear. I watched them plod their stolid way Straight on; till suddenly I heard The monkey mimic the singing-bird, And snatch a trail of the flowering may. And down the road I saw him still Catching and clutching the blossom white, Waving his long, black arms in delight, Until they passed over the brow of the hill. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BARREL-ORGAN by ALFRED NOYES THE ORGAN GRINDER by RONALD WALKER BARR THE MUSIC-GRINDERS by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE ORGAN-BOY by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907) AN ORCHARD AT AVIGNON by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON CELIA'S HOMECOMING by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON DARWINISM by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON NEURASTENIA by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON THE IDEA by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON A BALLAD OF ORLEANS (1429) by AGNES MARY F. ROBINSON |
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