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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OLD REMEDIES by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE YARDMAN, HE WITH THE COINS ON HIS WATCH-CHAIN, STOOD
Last Line: UNABLE NOW TO TOUCH THE CASE?

THE yardman, he with the coins on his watch-chain, stood
Joking the housewife where she tied to the rafter
A monstrous puffball found in the dust of the wood.
"You'll come when you cut yourself next." He replied in laughter,
"Them old remedies won't do a morsel of good."

This I heard;
This like many a chance-arriving word
About my brain with the iron refrain of a mill-wheel's round recurred.
Yet, being in the day's machine fresh-hacked,
This night I pray the dewy stars to act,
The stars, and moon, once of sweet influence known,
Has even the moon a dusty puffball grown?
Are those old remedies of sovran grace
Unable now to touch the case?



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