WHITHER now? my stupid foot Fain to Germany would guide me; But my reason shakes its head Wisely, seeming thus to chide me: "Ended is the war indeed, "But they still keep up courts-martial. "And to writing things esteem'd "Shootable, thou'rt far too partial." That's quite true, and being shot Has for me no great attractions; I'm no hero, and unskill'd In pathetic words and actions. Fain to England would I go, View'd I not with such displeasure Englishmen and coals -- their smell Makes me sick beyond all measure. To America methinks I would sail the broad seas over; To that place of freedom, where All alike may live in clover, Did I not detest a land Where tobacco's 'mongst their victuals, Where they never use spittoons, And so strangely play at skittles. Russia, that vast empire fair, Might be tolerably pleasant, But I should not like the knout That's their usual winter present. Sadly gaze I up on high, Where the countless stars are gleaming, But I nowhere can discern Where my own bright star is beaming. Perhaps in heaven's gold labyrinth It has got benighted lately, As I on this bustling earth Have myself been wandering greatly. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS by ALFRED TENNYSON THE DEAMON LOVER by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE BIRTHDAY CROWN by WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1824-1911) A PRESENCE by KENNETH SLADE ALLING PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 42. AL-JAMIL by EDWIN ARNOLD SONG: FOR THEE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |