Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MAN IN WHITE, by WILLIAM ALEXANDER PERCY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MAN IN WHITE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Soldier, knowest thou the land
Last Line: "and we shall be at home."
Subject(s): Kisses; Sleep; Soldiers; Strangers; Time


"Soldier, knowest thou the land
The land that's home to thee?"
"Stranger, with the voice not strange,
Why do you lean to me,
A wounded man, and put a word
That mocks my memory?"

"Soldier, I am from that land,
The land that's home to thee."
"O stranger with the gentle hands,
Now let your pity be.
You have no word what land is mine,
Your closed eyes cannot see
As mine, as mine, the land of lands,
The land where I would be."

"I see a field of apple trees
That top a furrowed hill,
A little house, a little room,
A flowered window sill.
A woman with a face like thine,
But eyes more sweet and still,
Who prays across the gathered dusk
To guard her child from ill."

"My God, my God, I fear to look
Lest there be no man by!
If this be but a fever dream
O let me sleep and die
And never know a blessed ghost
From home had heard my cry."

"See me, touch me, let thy head
On my bosom weigh.
This, the kiss your mother sent,
That on your lips I lay."
"Yes -- it is hers -- no other drives
The awful pain away --
I think -- that I could fall asleep --
If you -- would only -- stay."

"Rest thee, rest thee on my breast,
Let the deep sleep come.
Rest thee, rest thee, soldier lad,
Time is past to roam.
Waking, I shall still be near,
And we shall be at home."





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