The Whipper-In

MY father was the whipper-in,— Is still—if I’m not misled? And now I see, where the hedge is thin, A little spot of red; Surely it is my father Going to the kennel-shed!

“I cursed and fought my father—aye, And sailed to a foreign land; And feeling sorry, I’m back, to stay, Please God, as his helping hand. Surely it is my father Near where the kennels stand?”

“—True. Whipper-in he used to be For twenty years or more; And you did go away to sea As youths have done before. Yes, oddly enough that red there Is the very coat he wore.

“But he—he’s dead; was thrown somehow, And gave his back a crick, And though that is his coat, ’tis now The scarecrow of a rick; You’ll see when you get nearer— ’Tis spread out on a stick.

“You see, when all had settled down Your mother’s things were sold, And she went back to her own town, And the coat, ate out with mould, Is now used by the farmer For scaring, as ’tis old.”

A MILITARY APPOINTMENT (SCHERZANDO)

“SO back you have come from the town, Nan, dear! And have you seen him there, or near— That soldier of mine— Who long since promised to meet me here?”

“—O yes, Nell: from the town I come, And have seen your lover on sick-leave home— That soldier of yours— Who swore to meet you, or Strike-him-dumb;

“But has kept himself of late away; Yet,—in short, he’s coming, I heard him say— That lover of yours— To this very spot on this very day.”

“—Then I’ll wait, I’ll wait, through wet or dry! I’ll give him a goblet brimming high— This lover of mine— And not of complaint one word or sigh!”

“—Nell, him I have chanced so much to see, That—he has grown the lover of me!— That lover of yours— And it’s here our meeting is planned to be.”

THE MILESTONE BY THE RABBIT-BURROW (ON YELL’HAM HILL)

IN my loamy nook As I dig my hole I observe men look At a stone, and sigh As they pass it by To some far goal.

Something it says To their glancing eyes That must distress The frail and lame, And the strong of frame Gladden or surprise.

Do signs on its face Declare how far Feet have to trace Before they gain Some blest champaign Where no gins are?