Alfred Edward Housman

Additional Poems. 2. Oh Were He and I Together

Oh were he and I together,
        Shipmates on the fleeted main,
Sailing through the summer weather
        To the spoil of France or Spain.

Oh were he and I together,
        Locking hands and taking leave,
Low upon the trampled heather
        In the battle lost at eve.

Now are he and I asunder
        And asunder to remain;
Kingdoms are for others’ plunder,
        And content for other slain.