A Shropshire Lad/When smoke stood up from Ludlow

by Alfred Edward Housman

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 trampling 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.'

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