Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TWO BOYS, by CARROLL RYAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TWO BOYS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: These were two of the funniest boys
Last Line: Where these two brothers lay.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ryan, William Thomas Carroll
Subject(s): Boys; Brothers; Death; Friendship; Half-brothers; Dead, The


These were two of the funniest boys
That ever had a mother;
Roland was the name of one,
And Oliver that of the other.

One day they to the meadow went
The old gray mare to find;
Roland, he got up before,
And Oliver up behind.

And then they to the river ran—
To swim is not a sin;
Roland sat him down on the bank—
But Oliver tumbled in.

These two boys to the theatre went
Whenever they saw fit;
Roland in the gallery sat,
And Oliver in the pit.

Their mother sent them both to school
To learn to read and write;
Roland learned his lessons well,
But Oliver learned to fight.

On Sunday they to meeting went,
Where all good people pray;
Roland entered in and stayed,
But Oliver ran away.

On the mill-pond they another day
Went in their father's scow;
Roland sat down in the stern,
While Oliver stood at the prow.

And then they cast their fishing lines
To hook some bass and trout;
Roland caught a mighty eel,
Oliver an old mud pout.

These boys were then to College sent,
Where for sometime they tarried;
Roland took B.A., degree,
But Oliver got married.

When they came home their father said
That schooling did them harm,
So Roland went to learn a trade,
Oliver staid on the farm.

In after years these two boys met
One day when they were out;
Roland had grown tall and thin,
Oliver short and stout.

Said Roland, "I am rich and great;
My life is full of joys;
I ride about in coach of state,
And all my sons are boys."

Oliver said, "I am content
Away from city whirls.
I've plenty, and I want no more:
My daughters, all are girls."

The ladies then came on the scene,
Heading their grand parades,
Roland's numbered twenty boys,
Oliver's twenty maids.

Then all began to laugh and sing—
It was a happy sight—
Oliver asked them all to come
And sup with him that night.

Big buns, and cakes, and pies, and tarts
Were on the table spread,
Sweet honey, milk, and cream, and fruit,
And Oliver at the head.

They bade good-bye like gentlemen
Who part upon the road;
While Roland in his carriage sat,
On foot old Oliver strode.

At last, when they were very old
These two good fellows died.
Roland he was laid at rest
With Oliver by his side.

And all the boys and girls would come
With flowers every day,
And place them on the grassy beds
Where these two brothers lay.





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