Running To Paradise

Portrait of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats 1865–1939

As I came over Windy Gap They threw a halfpenny into my cap. For I am running to paradise; And all that I need do is to wish And somebody puts his hand in the dish To throw me a bit of salted fish: And there the king is but as the beggar.

My brother Mourteen is worn out With skelping his big brawling lout, And I am running to paradise; A poor life, do what he can, And though he keep a dog and a gun, A serving-maid and a serving-man: And there the king is but as the beggar.

Poor men have grown to be rich men, And rich men grown to be poor again, And I am running to paradise; And many a darling wit's grown dull That tossed a bare heel when at school, Now it has filled a old sock full: And there the king is but as the beggar.

The wind is old and still at play While I must hurry upon my way. For I am running to paradise; Yet never have I lit on a friend To take my fancy like the wind That nobody can buy or bind: And there the king is but as the beggar.

Keep reading

Discover more of William Butler Yeats’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
elaine11 words
  1. elaine

    I love this one dearly, it is just damn right throughout

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.