A Shropshire Lad/Say, lad, have you things to do?

by Alfred Edward Housman

XXIV

Say, lad, have you things to do?
Quick then, while your day's at prime,
Quick, and if 't is work for two,
Here am I, man: now 's your time.

Send me now, and I shall go;
Call me, I shall hear you call;
Use me ere they lay me low
Where a man's no use at all;

Ere the wholesome flesh decay,
And the willing nerve be numb,
And the lips lack breath to say,
'No, my lad, I cannot come.'

 

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