Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 25 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THIS TIME OF YEAR A TWELVEMONTH PAST
Last Line: STOCK-STILL LIES FRED AND SLEEPS.

This time of year a twelvemonth past,
When Fred and I would meet,
We needs must jangle, till at last
We fought and I was beat.

So then the summer fields about,
Till rainy days began,
Rose Harland on her Sundays out
Walked with the better man.

The better man she walks with still,
Though now 'tis not with Fred:
A lad that lives and has his will
Is worth a dozen dead

Fred keeps the house all kinds of weather,
And clay's the house he keeps
When Rose and I walk out together
Stock-still lies Fred and sleeps.




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