15/07/2006

"Time,You Old Gypsy Man"--R. Hodgson




Time, you old gypsy man,
Will you not stay
Put up your caravan
just for one day ?

All things I'll give you
Will you be my guest,
Bells for your jennet,
Of silver the best.
Goldsmiths shall beat you
A great golden rings,
Peacocks shall bow to you,
Little boys sing,
Oh, and sweet girls will
Festoon you with may.

Time, you old gypsy,
Why hasten away?
Last week in Babylon,
last night in Rome,
Morning, and in the crush
Under Paul's dome;
under Paul's dial
You tighten your rein-
Only a moment,
And off once again;
Off to some city
Now blind in the womb,
Off to another
Ere that's in the tomb.

Time, you old gypsy man,
Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day ?

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