Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SOLDIER'S WIFE, by ROBERT SOUTHEY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SOLDIER'S WIFE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Weary way-wanderer, languid and sick at heart
Last Line: Cold are thy famished babes, god help thee, widowed one!


Dactylics

Weary way-wanderer, languid and sick at heart,
Travelling painfully over the rugged road,
Wild-visaged wanderer! ah, for thy heavy chance!

Sorely thy little one drags by thee bare-footed,
Cold is the baby that hangs at thy bending back,
Meagre and livid and screaming its wretchedness.

Woe-begone mother, half anger, half agony,
As over thy shoulder thou lookest to hush the babe,
Bleakly the blinding snow beats in thy haggard face.

Thy husband will never return from the war again,
Cold is thy hopeless heart, even as Charity! --
Cold are thy famished babes, God help thee, widowed one!





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