William Ernest Henley (Уильям Эрнст Хенли)

In Hospital. 17. Interlude

O, the fun, the fun and frolic
   That The Wind that Shakes the Barley
   Scatters through a penny-whistle
   Tickled with artistic fingers!

Kate the scrubber (forty summers,
   Stout but sportive) treads a measure,
   Grinning, in herself a ballet,
   Fixed as fate upon her audience.

Stumps are shaking, crutch-supported;
   Splinted fingers tap the rhythm;
   And a head all helmed with plasters
   Wags a measured approbation.

Of their mattress-life oblivious,
   All the patients, brisk and cheerful,
   Are encouraging the dancer,
   And applauding the musician.

Dim the gas-lights in the output
   Of so many ardent smokers,
   Full of shadow lurch the corners,
   And the doctor peeps and passes.

There are, maybe, some suspicions
   Of an alcoholic presence . . .
   ‘Tak’ a sup of this, my wumman!’ . . .
   New Year comes but once a twelvemonth.

1. In Hospital. 12. Etching
2. London Voluntaries. 5. Allegro Maëstoso
3. Rhymes and Rhythms. 21. When the Wind Storms by with a Shout, and the Stern Sea-Caves
4. In Hospital. 7. Vigil
5. In Hospital. 14. Ave, Caeser!

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