Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LAMPLIGHTER by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: MY TEA IS NEARLY READY AND THE SUN HAS LEFT THE SKY
Last Line: O LEERIE, SEE A LITTLE CHILD AND NOD TO HIM TO-NIGHT!
Subject(s): LABOR & LABORERS; LAMPLIGHTERS; WORK; WORKERS;
My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky.
It's time to take the window to see Leerie going by;
For every night at teatime and before you take your seat,
With lantern and with ladder he comes posting up the street.

Now Tom would be a driver and Maria go to sea,
And my papa's a banker and as rich as he can be;
But I, when I am stronger and can choose what I'm to do,
O Leerie, I'll go round at night and light the lamps with you!

For we are very lucky, with a lamp before the door,
And Leerie stops to light it as he lights so many more;
And oh! before you hurry by with ladder and with light;
O Leerie, see a little child and nod to him to-night!




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