Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

A Shropshire Lad, XXXVI -- A E Housman

       
(Poem #33) A Shropshire Lad, XXXVI
White in the moon the long road lies,
    The moon stands blank above;
White in the moon the long road lies
    That leads me from my love.

Still hangs the hedge without a gust,
    Still, still the shadows stay:
My feet upon the moonlit dust
    Pursue the ceaseless way.

The world is round, so travellers tell,
    And straight though reach the track,
Trudge on, trudge on, 'twill all be well,
    The way will guide one back.

But ere the circle homeward hies
    Far, far must it remove:
White in the moon the long road lies
    That leads me from my love.
-- A E Housman
A brief (and slightly dated) biographical note, from Louis Untermeyer:

"A. E. Housman was born in1859, and, after a classical education, he
was, for ten years, Higher Division Clerk in Her Majesty's Patent
Office. Later in life, he became a teacher.

Housman published only one volume of original verse, but that volume (A
Shropshire Lad) is known wherever modern English poetry is
read.Originally published in 1896, when Housman was almost 37, it is
evident that many of these lyrics were written when the poet was much
younger. Echoing the frank pessimism of Hardy and the harder cynicism of
Heine, Housman struck a lighter and more buoyant note. Underneath his
dark ironies, there is a rustic humor that has many subtle variations.
From a melodic standpoint, A Shropshire Lad is a collection of
exquisite, haunting and almost perfect songs.

Housman has been a professor of Latin since 1892 and, besides his
immortal set of lyrics, has edited Juvenal and the books of Manlius. "

Housman died in 1936.

I've loved this poem ever since I first read it in Susan Cooper's
(excellent) fantasy sequence 'The Dark is Rising'. I find the central
image especially beautiful and poignant. Call me an unabashed romantic
if you will :-).

For an interesting contrast, compare this poem with Tolkien's 'The Road
Goes Ever On' (Minstrels, Poem #4).

thomas.

61 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

saim said...

I really love the work that you have been doing as of late, so thank you so much for everything that you have been sharing with us.

natural minerals
best naturals
buy curcumin

pay per head said...

Thanks, great share.I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article.

Virtual call center solutions said...

Fantastic post.I like your article.Very informative post.

Unknown said...

Golf-club can be purchased parts in addition to on their own.
Concerning start off folks, this tools presents numerous exactly
what is needed to come from a good pack.The best seo site
Garmin Golf GPS

gamem said...

I want to go for a high round solo but I don't know if it will be on the leaderboards. Also there is 3 ways how you can play iwin solo, one is custom games online, another way is online on solo play, and the last way is Local so I don't know if you have to play online on custom games for it to be on the leaderboards, please help.

Prediksi Bola said...

I am truly inspired by this online journal! Extremely clear clarification of issues is given and it is open to every living soul. I have perused your post, truly you have given this extraordinary informative data about it.

dewi said...

Hi just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 2 days looking for completely unrelated things. Spooky or what?
travel guide
industrial vision
Car Modelling Customization
kumpulan info trend baju
update informasi terbaru
kumpulan informasi terkini
kumpulan info terkini
penghargaan itats

Unknown said...

JSolusi yang tepat untuk mengobati penyakit wasir tanpa harus operasi, menggunakan obat wasir  Paling ampuh dari De Nature dan terbaik ada hanya di http://obatwasirme.blogspot.com untuk mendapatkan informasi yang lebih jelas mengenai pengobatan wasir silahkan kontak langsung di nomer 0852 808 77 999 atau 0859 7373 5656 Bagaimana mengobati Ambeien itu sendiri. pengobatan yang terbaik untuk Ambeien adalah dari luar dan dalam sehingga Ambeien benar benar tuntas dan tidak akan kambuh lagi. obat Ambeien terbaik "Ambeclear dari De Nature" Adalah obat Ambeien herbal yang memang terbaik untuk mengobati Ambeien, dan sudah terdaftar di badan obat dan makanan (BPOM) dengan nomer registrasi POM TR: 133 374 041. terbuat dari bahan alami antara lain terdiri Daung Ungu, Mahkota Dewa dan Kunyit Putih.

Anonymous said...

Poetry is related with the literacy rate of the region. Only literate people have the art and talent to create soulful poetry. Those who have great experience in writing poetry, they can earn online PhD by getting their experience converted through online education.

Anonymous said...

sekilas info. Vitamin telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker, walaupun tingkat yang rendah dari vitamin D berhubungan dengan peningkatan resiko kanker. Apakah ini merupakan sebab akibat dan suplemen vitamin D bersifat melindungi tidak pernah dinyatakan. Suplemen Beta-Carotene telah diketahui meningkatkan kanker paru-paru pada mereka yang beresiko tinggi. Asam folat telah diketahui tidak berguna untuk mencegah kanker usus, bahkan justru menuingkatkan terjadinya polip pada usus besar. Tidak jelas apakah suplemen selenium mempunyai efek pengobatan/pencegahan. selain itu, seiring dengan perkembangan jaman, kini pengobatan penyakit ini sudah banyak di lakukan secara herbal, salah satunya dengan menggunakan produk ziirzax dan typhogell, dan untuk info lebih lengkap, silahkan baca spesifikasi produk obat kanker ziirzax dan typhogell.

Lina Kesepian said...

Thank you for the information , I wait for more information and I ask for a return visit our new website
>> Obat pembesar penis <<

unsgu said...

Nice information,, terrimaksih infonya..sukses much for sharing the info and the website is always to be the best and do the best to the next information .. toyota new car price | tips on buying a vehicle | luxury bathroom | the price of motorcycles and cars

anton said...

wah article was very nice and interesting, I feel happy when I read. In the next post ya wait ... regards

anton said...

halaman yang sangat bagus dan artikel yang sangat baik , saya menjadi senang membacanya .
ditunggu postingan berikutnya ..

salam

Unknown said...

the great post... your word is really good

Unknown said...

wowwww good...you're positive be hard work

Post a Comment