Alfred Edward Housman

More Poems. 30. Shake Hands, We Shall Never Be Friends; Give Over

Shake hands, we shall never be friends; give over:
        I only vex you the more I try.
All’s wrong that ever I’ve done or said,
And nought to help it in this dull head:
        Shake hands, goodnight, goodbye.

But if you come to a road where danger
        Or guilt or anguish or shame’s to share,
Be good to the lad that loves you true
And the soul that was born to die for you,
        And whistle and I’ll be there.