W H Auden

Song Of The Master And Boatswain

At Dirty Dick's and Sloppy Joe's We drank our liquor straight, Some went upstairs with Margery, And some, alas, with Kate; And two by two like cat and mouse The homeless played at keeping house. There Wealthy Meg, the Sailor's Friend, And Marion, cow-eyed, Opened their arms to me but I Refused to step inside; I was not looking for a cage In which to mope my old age. The nightingales are sobbing in The orchards of our mothers, And hearts that we broke long ago Have long been breaking others; Tears are round, the sea is deep: Roll them overboard and sleep.