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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A LYKE-WAKE CAROL by ARTHUR SHEARLY CRIPPS

First Line: GROW OLD AND DIE, RICH DAY
Last Line: TO US THY BANISHED HERE!
Subject(s): WAKES;

GROW old and die, rich Day,
Over some English field --
Chartered to come away
What time to Death you yield!
Pass, frost-white ghost, and then
Come forth to banish'd men!

I see the stubble's sheen,
The mist and ruddled leaves,
Here where the new Spring's green
For her first rain-drops grieves.
Here beechen leaves drift red
Last week in England dead.

For English eyes' delight
Those Autumn ghosts go free --
Ghost of the field hoar-white,
Ghost of the crimson tree.
Grudge them not, England dear,
To us thy banished here!



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