Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SONG OF THE TURNKEY, by HARRY BACHE SMITH Poet's Biography First Line: In the darkness deep Last Line: Then it's ho! Ho! Ho! Etc. | ||||||||
I IN the darkness deep Of the donjon-keep, Where the spiders spin their strands; In the home of bats And of old gray rats, Are my lord the turnkey's lands. O, his task is light, But from morn till night On his rounds he needs must go. It is tramp, tramp, tramp, With his keys and lamp, In the corridors down below. Then it 's ho! ho! ho! I am king of the donjon deep. There is music of bolt and chain In the turnkey's dark domain. How merrily jingle the chains that cling! How cheerily tinkle the keys that swing! I am king -- king -- king of the donjon-keep! 2 Though the ravens scream From the gallows beam, It is little heed he takes; And a song he roars Through the corridors, As his watchful round he makes. None are false to him In his kingdom grim, For their monarch never sleeps. O, there's none dare say To the turnkey nay; He is king of the donjon deeps. Then it's ho! ho! ho! etc. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HER FAULTS, FR. THE MANDARIN by HARRY BACHE SMITH I DIDN'T LIKE HIM by HARRY BACHE SMITH MY ANGELINE by HARRY BACHE SMITH SAME OLD STORY by HARRY BACHE SMITH THE ARMORER'S SONG by HARRY BACHE SMITH THE LONG NIGHT by HARRY BACHE SMITH THE SAILOR BOY by ALFRED TENNYSON TO WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER JANUARY MORNING by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS STANZAS ON THE DEATH OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE by BERNARD BARTON |
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