Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE JOLLY TRAMP, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poet Analysis First Line: I am a jolly tramp: I whine to you Last Line: Was I, but whined in truth most pitiful. Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Wandering & Wanderers; Wanderlust; Vagabonds; Tramps; Hoboes | ||||||||
I am a jolly tramp: I whine to you, Then whistles till I meet another fool. I call the labourer sir, the boy young man, The maid young lady, and the mother I Will flatter through the youngest child that walks. In sooth, there's no joy in a poor man's house, Save when the little baby walks or swears; Still do they pity my pretended grief. When, like that fallen oak stripped of its bark, Showing the naked muscles of its limbs Flat on the ground -- I lie with my coat off, Hidden in deep green grass that's high enough To miss a baby in, I pity half the world. If it be summer time, then what care I For naked feet, and flesh through tattered garb? O foolish Pride, discomfort is thy due; That made a savage take an axe to chop His feet that were too large to fit small shoes. What though I read few books, I can read men, And weigh a face for what the heart is worth, Far better than the fools who think they know. So that the sun shines bright, I like to rest All day, to let the body lie in sloth, And make imagination do the work; Such work is sweet, and brings no sweat or ache. Their questions and their pity make me laugh, But idle men can always find excuse. Alas! I do not always laugh: for see How fine was yester morn; the heavens clear; Then came a golden cloud with three dark ones -- Three pirates following a peaceful barque; The heavy rain tugged with its might for hours, And almost pulled the heavens down to earth; And then came torrents, and no jolly tramp Was I, but whined in truth most pitiful. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUMS, ON WAKING by JAMES DICKEY A FOLK SINGER OF THE THIRTIES by JAMES DICKEY WANDERER IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY by CLARENCE MAJOR THE WANDERER by WYSTAN HUGH AUDEN LONG GONE by STERLING ALLEN BROWN BLACK SHEEP by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON A VAGABOND SONG by BLISS CARMAN A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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