XXII. The street sounds to the soldiers' tread. Housman, A. E. 1896. A Shropshire Lad

A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.

XXII. The street sounds to the soldiers’ tread


THE STREET sounds to the soldiers’ tread,
And out we troop to see:
A single redcoat turns his head,
He turns and looks at me.

My man, from sky to sky’s so far,	5
We never crossed before;
Such leagues apart the world’s ends are,
We ’re like to meet no more;

What thoughts at heart have you and I
We cannot stop to tell;	10
But dead or living, drunk or dry,
Soldier, I wish you well.