THE Rhone and Rhine they run so free Through Switzerland and Germany, But Cherwell winds with devious coil Through Hampton Gay and Hampton Poyle. The Cher, he flows his banks between Through clover fields and meadows green, By meadows green and churches gray, By Hampton Poyle and Hampton Gay: O peaceful scenes, secluded spots! How happy are their simple lots Who live and till their natal soil In Hampton Gay and Hampton Poyle! Could suns be warm, could skies be blue, Could days of spring be always new, A lifetime were too short to stay In Hampton Poyle or Hampton Gay. No racing Eights come here to mar The rural solitudes of Cher: No student burns the midnight oil (I'm sure of that) in Hampton Poyle! ('Here,' said the Editor, 'enough Of this unconscionable stuff! You can't go on the livelong day Composing rhymes to Hampton Gay!' 'O, can't I just?' the Poet said: 'By arts like these I earn my bread: This only serves my Muse to foil -- The dearth of words that rhyme with Poyle.') Whene'er I quit this scene of toil, Then place my bones in Hampton Poyle: Or, if you can't, then take and lay My mortal part in Hampton Gay! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO GOD THE FATHER by KATHERINE MANSFIELD THE INNOVATOR by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE POTATOES' DANCE by NICHOLAS VACHEL LINDSAY EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 28. LOVE'S TRIUMPH OVER RICHES by PHILIP AYRES |