Classic Poem

JOHN AND THOMAS

JOHN

Where the stream of the river may bound,
All in foam, over block upon block
Of grey stone, shall we say that the sound
Is the sound of the stream or the rock?

THOMAS

Where the black-spotted bean-bloom is out,
As we talk of the smell, do we mean
That the sweetness that wavers about
Is the smell of the wind or the bean?

JOHN

Where the sunlight that plays off and on
In the brook-pool may dazzle your sight,
Would you say that the bow-necked swan
Is in gleams of the pool or the light?

THOMAS

When your head should have met, in the night,
With the door, and be ready to split,
Would you say, if you wished to be right,
'Twas the head or the door that was hit?

JOHN

When the heart may leap high at the sight
Of the dwelling of some belov'd face,
Shall we take it that all our delight
Is a charm of the face or the place?

THOMAS

When a pretty girl's father, one night,
Set the dog at a youth that would scan
Her abode, should we think the poor wight
Put to flight by the dog or the man?

JOHN

Ah! you only can turn it to fun.

THOMAS

And he only could learn how to run.