Part 4 — “TIME, YOU OLD GIPSY MAN”

Time, you old gipsy man, Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for one day? All things I’ll give you Will you be my guest, Bells for your jennet Of silver the best, Goldsmiths shall beat you A great golden ring, Peacocks shall bow to you, Little boys sing, Oh, and sweet girls will Festoon you with may. Time, you old gipsy, Why hasten away? Last week in Babylon, Last night in Rome, Morning, and in the crush Under Paul’s dome; Under Paul’s dial You tighten your rein— Only a moment, And off once again;

Off to some city Now blind in the womb, Off to another Ere that’s in the tomb. Time, you old gipsy man, Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for one day? Ralph Hodgson