The Racer
The Racer
Original Text
John Masefield, Poems, II (New York, NY: Macmillan, 1945): 276.
1I saw the racer coming to the jump,
2 Staring with fiery eyeballs as he rusht,
3I heard the blood within his body thump,
4 I saw him launch, I heard the toppings crusht.
5And as he landed I beheld his soul
6 Kindle, because, in front, he saw the Straight
7With all its thousands roaring at the goal,
8 He laughed, he took the moment for his mate.
9Would that the passionate moods on which we ride
10 Might kindle thus to oneness with the will;
11Would we might see the end to which we stride,
12 And feel, not strain, in struggle, only thrill.
13And laugh like him and know in all our nerves
14Beauty, the spirit, scattering dust and turves.
Publication Start Year
1923
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire, assisted by Ana Berdinskikh
RPO Edition
2009
Rhyme
Form