Reveille
Alfred Edward Housman
Wake: the silver dusk returning Up the beach of darkness brims, And the ship of sunrise burning Strands upon the eastern rims. Wake: the vaulted shadow shatters, Trampled to the floor it spanned, And the tent of night in tatters Straws the sky-pavilioned land. Up, lad, up, ’tis late for lying: Hear the drums of morning play; Hark, the empty highways crying “Who’ll beyond the hills away?” Towns and countries woo together, Forelands beacon, belfries call; Never lad that trod on leather Lived to feast his heart with all. Up, lad: thews that lie and cumber Sunlit pallets never thrive; Morns abed and daylight slumber Were not meant for man alive. Clay lies still, but blood’s a rover; Breath’s a ware that will not keep. Up, lad: when the journey’s over There’ll be time enough to sleep.
Next 10 Poems
- Alfred Edward Housman : Say, Lad, Have You Things To Do?
- Alfred Edward Housman : Shot? So Quick, So Clean An Ending?
- Alfred Edward Housman : Stars
- Alfred Edward Housman : Tell Me Not Here, It Needs Not Saying
- Alfred Edward Housman : Terence, This Is Stupid Stuff
- Alfred Edward Housman : The Carpenter's Son
- Alfred Edward Housman : The Chestnut Casts His Flambeaux
- Alfred Edward Housman : The Day Of Battle
- Alfred Edward Housman : The Fairies Break Their Dances
- Alfred Edward Housman : The Grizzly Bear
Previous 10 Poems
- Alfred Edward Housman : Others, I Am Not The First
- Alfred Edward Housman : On Your Midnight Pallet Lying
- Alfred Edward Housman : On Wenlock Edge The Wood's In Trouble
- Alfred Edward Housman : On The Idle Hill Of Summer
- Alfred Edward Housman : On Moonlit Heath And Lonesome Bank
- Alfred Edward Housman : Oh, When I Was In Love With You
- Alfred Edward Housman : Oh Who Is That Young Sinner
- Alfred Edward Housman : Oh Stay At Home, My Lad
- Alfred Edward Housman : Oh See How Thick The Goldcup Flowers
- Alfred Edward Housman : Oh Fair Enough Are Sky And Plain
