English poetry

PoetsBiographiesPoems by ThemesRandom Poem
The Rating of PoetsThe Rating of Poems

Poem by Robert William Service


The Search (Happiness, a-roving round)


Happiness, a-roving round
For a sweet abiding place,
In a stately palace found
Symmetry and gilded grace;
Courtliness and table cheer,
All that chimes with evening dress...
"I could never stick it here,"
Swift decided Happiness.

Happiness a-seeking still,
In a mansion of the town,
Comfort-crammed to overspill,
Sought in vain to settle down.
Every nook strained to express
Opulent prosperity...
But "Alas!" said Happiness,
"This is not my cup of tea."

In a cottage by the sea,
Most monastically bare,
Happiness peered wistfully,
And he spied me waiting there.
"Stay," said I: "No need to roam;
Though no riches I possess,
Squat and make yourself at home..."
"Say, that's swell!" said Happiness.



Robert William Service


Robert William Service's other poems:
  1. Highland Hospitality
  2. Violet de Vere
  3. L'Envoi (I guess this is the final score)
  4. Afternoon Tea
  5. New Year's Eve


Poem to print Print

1248 Views



Last Poems


To Russian version


Ðåéòèíã@Mail.ru

English Poetry. E-mail eng-poetry.ru@yandex.ru