A. E. Housman — When smoke stood up from Ludlow

         VII          When smoke stood up from Ludlow,          And mist blew off from Teme, And blithe afield to ploughing          Against the morning beam          I strode beside my team,          The blackbird in the coppice          Looked out to see me stride, And hearkened as I whistled          The tramping team beside,          And fluted and replied:          "Lie down, lie down, young yeoman;          What use to rise and rise? Rise man a thousand mornings          Yet down at last he lies,          And then the man is wise."          I heard the tune he sang me,          And spied his yellow bill; I picked a stone and aimed it          And threw it with a will:          Then the bird was still.          Then my soul within me          Took up the blackbird's strain, And still beside the horses          Along the dewy lane          It sang the song again:          "Lie down, lie down, young yeoman;          The sun moves always west; The road one treads to labour          Will lead one home to rest,          And that will be the best."