Panama and Other Poems Narrative and Occasional By Stephen Phillips: With a Frontispiece by Joseph Pennell |
 |
THE SHIRKER |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
 | Panama and Other Poems Narrative and Occasional |  |
101
THE SHIRKER
He moors the skiff within the cooler gloomOf river-branches, unaware of doom;
Cushioned he lolls and looks in faces fair,
Nursing with placid hand anointed hair.
It seems he scarcely can uplift the weight
Of summer afternoon, far less of fate.
So the young Briton, sprawling in his strength,
Supports a heavy Sabbath at full length,
Till sinks the sun on more than that sweet river,
Perhaps upon our day goes down forever!
But though that orb may on an Empire set,
Tomlinson lights another cigarette!
August, 1914.
| Panama and Other Poems Narrative and Occasional | |