A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.
XXVII. Is my team ploughing
‘I
That I was used to drive
And hear the harness jingle
When I was man alive?’
The harness jingles now;
No change though you lie under
The land you used to plough.
Along the river shore,
With lads to chase the leather,
Now I stand up no more?’
The lads play heart and soul;
The goal stands up, the keeper
Stands up to keep the goal.
That I thought hard to leave,
And has she tired of weeping
As she lies down at eve?’
She lies not down to weep:
Your girl is well contented.
Be still, my lad, and sleep.
Now I am thin and pine,
And has he found to sleep in
A better bed than mine?’
I lie as lads would choose;
I cheer a dead man’s sweetheart,
Never ask me whose.