THE BALLAD OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Smiled as they wept those shining tears
Only Immortals know,
Whose feet are set among the stars,
Above the shifting snow.
And one spake out into the night
Before they left for ever,
"Rejoice, rejoice!" and his great voice
Rolled like a splendid river.
He spoke in Greek, which Britons speak
Seldom, and circumspectly;
But Mr. Judd, that man of mud,
Translated it correctly.
And when they heard that happy word
Policemen leapt and ambled:
The busmen pranced, the maidens danced,
The men in bowlers gambolled.
An Echo walked the town till late,
And found the long streets lonely:
At last she found a small brass plate
Inscribed For Members Only.
And so she went to Parliament;
But those ungainly men
Woke up from sleep, and turned about,
And fell asleep again.
25
