Verses (Baughan)/Gaffer’s Last Journey
GAFFER’S LAST JOURNEY
The cart is ready; come! . . . Oh, is it true?
Gaffer, dear Gaffer, can’t you hear me cry?
Must the old place call out, instead of you,
“Good-bye”?
Ah, sure, ’tis only market-day at Shere;
We’ve only tuck’d you in all snug to go
With Polly that you’ve harness’d, Gaffer, dear. . . .
No! no!
Never again you’ll yoke her at the door!
Never, but this once, take the market-track!
And oh! you’ll never, never any more
Come back!
. . . You’re all alone. Tho’ we trudge on beside
(All of us but poor Pincher), one by one,
And Granny often stumbles: yet you ride
Alone.
. . . You need no gaiters, tho’ the roads be mire;
Your old blue cloak’s at home, despite the rain;
We needn’t be afraid you’ll ever tire
Again.
. . . ’Tis market-day, we're all for Shere, and yet
There’s not one word among so many souls.
But, straight ahead, a bell one can’t forget
Tolls, tolls. . . .
Stop, yon’s the village! Lay the holly-greens
Upon the lid . . . lift him . . . with bated breath
Bear him along, and reverence! Oh, this means
Death!
Gaffer! this change to you that shrank from change,
That liked things every-day, not new and odd!
Oh, do not let him find Heaven very strange,
Please, God!