Robert Fuller Murray (1863-1894)
An Interview
1I met him down upon the pier,
2 His eyes were wild and sad,
3And something in them made me fear
4 That he was going mad.
5So, being of a prudent sort,
6 I stood some distance off,
7And before speaking gave a short
8 Conciliatory cough.
9I then observed, 'What makes you look
10 So singularly glum?'
11No notice of my words he took. --
12 I said, 'Pray, are you dumb?'
13'Oh no!' he said, 'I do not think
14 My power of speech is lost,
15But when one's hopes are black as ink,
16 Why, talking is a frost,
17'You see, I'm in for Math. again,
18 And certain to be ploughed.
19Please tell me where I could obtain
20 An inexpensive shroud.'
21I told him where such things are had,
22 Well made, and not too dear;
23And, feeling really very sad,
24 I left him on the pier.
Notes
18] ploughed: given a bad failing grade.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: R. F. Murray, The Scarlet Gown: Being
Verses by a St. Andrews Man, 2nd edn., intro. by Andrew Lang (Glasgow:
James MacLehose, 1909): 56-57. LE M9837sc Robarts Library
First publication date:
1891
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2001
Recent editing: 1:2002/10/5
Rhyme: abab
Other poems by Robert Fuller Murray
