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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE TRAVELLER by JOHN DRINKWATER

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN MARCH WAS MASTER OF FURROW AND FOLD
Last Line: "THE GATE IS OPEN -- BE QUICK, BE QUICK."
Subject(s): DAFFODILS; MARCH (MONTH); SPRING;

WHEN March was master of furrow and fold,
And the skies kept cloudy festival
And the daffodil pods were tipped with gold
And a passion was in the plover's call,
A spare old man went hobbling by
With a broken pipe and a tapping stick,
And he mumbled -- "Blossom before I die,
Be quick, you little brown buds, be quick.

"I've weathered the world for a count of years --
Good old years of shining fire --
And death and the devil bring no fears,
And I've fed the flame of my last desire;
I'm ready to go, but I'd pass the gate
On the edge of the world with an old heart sick
If I missed the blossoms. I may not wait --
The gate is open -- be quick, be quick."



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