A BALLADE OF SUICIDE

The gallows in my garden, people say,

Is new and neat and adequately tall.

I tie the noose on in a knowing way

As one that knots his necktie for a ball;

But just as all the neighbours — on the wall —

Are drawing a long breath to shout “Hurray!”

The strangest whim has seized me.... After all

I think I will not hang myself to-day.

To-morrow is the time I get my pay —

My uncle's sword is hanging in the hall —

I see a little cloud all pink and grey —

Perhaps the rector's mother will not call —

I fancy that I heard from Mr. Gall

That mushrooms could be cooked another way —

I never read the works of Juvenal —

I think I will not hang myself to-day.

The world will have another washing day;

The decadents decay; the pedants pall;

And H. G. Wells has found that children play.

And Bernard Shaw discovered that they squall;

Rationalists are growing rational —

And through thick woods one finds a stream astray,

So secret that the very sky seems small —

I think I will not hang myself to-day.

Prince, I can hear the trumpet of Germinal,

The tumbrils toiling up the terrible way;

Even to-day your royal head may fall —

I think I will not hang myself to-day.