A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.
L. In valleys of springs of rivers
I
By Ony and Teme and Clun,
The country for easy livers,
The quietest under the sun,
One could not be always glad,
And lads knew trouble at Knighton
When I was a Knighton lad.
In London, the town built ill,
’Tis sure small matter for wonder
If sorrow is with one still.
The troubles he bears are more,
He carries his griefs on a shoulder
That handselled them long before.
This luggage I ’d lief set down?
Not Thames, not Teme is the river,
Nor London nor Knighton the town:
A quieter place than Clun,
Where doomsday may thunder and lighten
And little ’twill matter to one.