So you'd rather take your book
To some peaceful, shady nook,
Hapless churl!
O, but I would rather be
In the joyful company
Of a girl.
I have crammed my aching head
With an occult language dead;
Studied hard
All the star-worlds up above,
Careless of a woman's love
Or regard.
I have studied -- and for what?
Ah, for nothing worth a jot,
Save to find
That I drifted on and out
To the realms of Dread and Doubt,
From mankind.
So, put your books away,
Aye, for ever from to-day,
Classic churl;
And bide a while with me
In the sweet society
Of a girl.
First published in The Bulletin, 21 July 1904
