Tewkesbury Road

Portrait of John Masefield
John Masefield 1878–1967

IT is good to be out on the road, and going one knows not where, Going through meadow and village, one knows not whither or why; Through the grey light drift of the dust, in the keen cool rush of the air, Under the flying white clouds, and the broad blue lift of the sky.

And to halt at the chattering brook, in a tall green fern at the brink Where the harebell grows, and the gorse, and the foxgloves purple and white; Where the shifty-eyed delicate deer troop down to the brook to drink When the stars are mellow and large at the coming on of the night.

O, to feel the beat of the rain, and the homely smell of the earth, Is a tune for the blood to jig to, and joy past power of words; And the blessed green comely meadows are all a-ripple with mirth At the noise of the lambs at play and the dear wild cry of the birds.

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  1. richard lock Canada

    I learned this poem sixty years ago when I was ten and still love it ... though I've forgotten the last few lines. I know the part of England it refers to and find that Masefield's images and 'sound-scapes' ("the keen cool rush of the air") are, well, memorable!

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