ian turner Posted 14 September , 2008 Share Posted 14 September , 2008 I once read a poem at the Imperial War Museum - it was in a special display marking the launch of the CWGC online search facility. I do not know its title - something like The Ploughman or Ploughboy - and its theme was comparing his secret hideaway on the farm (a bush or somesuch) with his unknown final resting place on the battlefield. Anyone know the poem and can tell me about it? Thanks Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tootrock Posted 15 September , 2008 Share Posted 15 September , 2008 Hi Ian, The poem you are looking for is called "A Private", by Edward Thomas, (1878 - April 9th 1917, at Arras) A Private This ploughman dead in battle slept out of doors Many's a frozen night, and merrily Answered staid drinkers, good bedmen, and all bores: 'At Mrs Greenland's Hawthorn Bush,' said he, 'I slept.' None knew which bush. Above the town, Beyond 'The Drover', a hundred spot the down In Wiltshire. And where now at last he sleeps More sound in France – that, too, he secret keeps. Regards, Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 15 September , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 September , 2008 Martin That's exactly! Many thanks for your prompt answer. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 15 September , 2008 Share Posted 15 September , 2008 I've never been able to work out what these lines mean, though I vaguely recall an explanation in a book of poetry, or perhaps one on Thomas. What are "bedmen"? Is "Mrs Greenland's Hawthorn Bush" a pub? Is "The Drover" also a pub? A hundred of what "spot the down" (sarsen stones that are common on the Wiltshire Downs?) Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyhound Posted 15 September , 2008 Share Posted 15 September , 2008 I think we are to assume that "Mrs Greenland's Hawthorn Bush" is his joking reference to sleeping out of doors - he makes it sound like an inn, but "Mrs Greenland" is the Downs personified. It's a hundred hawthorns that "spot the down" above The Drover, which is the pub he's in. I'm not sure about "bedmen", but I take it to mean people who like to sleep in a comfortable bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 15 September , 2008 Share Posted 15 September , 2008 That's an excellent interpretation, Greyhound. Many thanks for explaining it to me. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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