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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 47. THE CARPENTER'S SON, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Here the hangman stops his cart Last Line: Live, lads, and I will die.' Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E. Subject(s): Bible; Capital Punishment; Religion; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty; Theology | |||
'Here the hangman stops his cart: Now the best of friends must part. Fare you well, for ill fare I: Live, lads, and I will die. 'Oh, at home had I but stayed 'Prenticed to my father's trade, Had I stuck to plane and adze, I had not been lost, my lads. 'Then I might have built perhaps Gallows-trees for other chaps, Never dangled on my own, Had I but left ill alone. 'Now, you see, they hang me high, And the people passing by Stop to shake their fists and curse; So 'tis come from ill to worse. 'Here hang I, and right and left Two poor fellows hang for theft: All the same's the luck we prove, Though the midmost hangs for love. 'Comrades all, that stand and gaze, Walk henceforth in other ways; See my neck and save your own: Comrades all, leave ill alone. 'Make some day a decent end, Shrewder fellows than your friend. Fare you well, for ill fare I: Live, lads, and I will die.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 1. 1887 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN |
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