GOD gave unto the Philistine, Who toils at desk and mart, The silver pieces broad and fine And broidered coat and smart, But gave, O brothers, for our part The roving foot and free; The children of the merry heart -- Life's vagabonds are we. The elder son hath glowing hearth And quiet home and house; The younger son hath all the earth Wherein he may carouse. The elder son his goodly spouse For once and all has ta'en; Upon the younger's tattered blouse More heads than one have lain. Then ho, for stirrup and for spur, Across the world -- away! Nor pause to snatch a kiss from her We courted yesterday. 'Tis some must dance and some must play, Some pay and some go free. God keep you, sirs, who stare and stay -- Life's vagabonds are we. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NOT BY THE SEA by SARA TEASDALE THE YOUNG MYSTIC by LOUIS UNTERMEYER A DEATH IN THE DESERT by ROBERT BROWNING UPON THE DEATH OF THE LORD HASTINGS by JOHN DRYDEN MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 6 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |