'AWAKE! I'm off to cities far away,' I said; and rose, on peradventures bent. The chimes played 'Life's a Bumper!' long that day To the measure of my walking as I went: Their sweetness frisked and floated on the lea, As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Awake!' I said. 'I go to take a bride!' - The sun arose behind me ruby-red As I journeyed townwards from the countryside, The chiming bells saluting near ahead. Their sweetness swelled in tripping tings of glee As they played out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. 'Again arise.' I seek a turfy slope, And go forth slowly on an autumn noon, And there I lay her who has been my hope, And think, 'O may I follow hither soon!' While on the wind the chimes come cheerily, Playing out 'Life's a Bumper!' there to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE BIRTH OF A CHILD by LOUIS UNTERMEYER CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2, FR. TULIPS by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS MILTON; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW HER FIRST-BORN by CHARLES TENNYSON TURNER PEREGRINUS by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE RIDDLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |