A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.

XXV. This time of year a twelvemonth past

THIS time of year a twelvemonth past,

When Fred and I would meet,

We needs must jangle, till at last

We fought and I was beat.

So then the summer fields about,

Till rainy days began,

Rose Harland on her Sundays out

Walked with the better man.

The better man she walks with still,

Though now ’tis not with Fred:

A lad that lives and has his will

Is worth a dozen dead.

Fred keeps the house all kinds of weather,

And clay’s the house he keeps;

When Rose and I walk out together

Stock-still lies Fred and sleeps.