Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 57 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU SMILE UPON YOUR FRIEND TO-DAY
Last Line: BEFORE I DIE FOR EVER.

You smile upon your friend to-day,
To-day his ills are over;
You hearken to the lover's say,
And happy is the lover.

'Tis late to hearken, late to smile,
But better late than never:
I shall have lived a little while
Before I die for ever.




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