Poems From "A Shropshire Lad" - XXVII

"Is my team ploughing,     That I was used to drive     And hear the harness jingle     When I was man alive?"     Ay, the horses trample,     The harness jingles now;     No change though you lie under     The land you used to plough.     "Is football playing     Along the river shore,     With lads to chase the leather,     Now I stand up no more?"     Ay, the ball is flying,     The lads play heart and soul;     The goal stands up, the keeper     Stands up to keep the goal.     "Is my girl happy,     That I thought hard to leave,     And has she tired of weeping     As she lies down at eve?"     Ay, she lies down lightly,     She lies not down to weep:     Your girl is well contented.     Be still, my lad, and sleep.     "Is my friend hearty,     Now I am thin and pine,     And has he found to sleep in     A better bed than mine?"     Yes, lad, I lie easy,     I lie as lads would choose;     I cheer a dead man's sweetheart,     Never ask me whose.