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" Terence, this is stupid stuff:
You eat your victuals fast enough;
There can't be much amiss, 'tis clear,
To see the rate you drink your beer.
But oh, good Lord, the verse you make,
It gives a chap the belly-ache.
The cow, the old cow, she is dead;
It sleeps well, the horned head;
We poor lads, 'tis our turn now
To hear such tunes as killed the cow.
Pretty friendship 'tis to rhyme
Your friends to death before their time
Moping melancholy mad:
Come, pipe a tune to dance to, lad. "

A.E. Housman , A Shropshire Lad


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A.E. Housman quote : Terence, this is stupid stuff:<br />You eat your victuals fast enough;<br />There can't be much amiss, 'tis clear,<br />To see the rate you drink your beer.<br />But oh, good Lord, the verse you make,<br />It gives a chap the belly-ache.<br />The cow, the old cow, she is dead;<br />It sleeps well, the horned head;<br />We poor lads, 'tis our turn now<br />To hear such tunes as killed the cow.<br />Pretty friendship 'tis to rhyme<br />Your friends to death before their time<br />Moping melancholy mad:<br />Come, pipe a tune to dance to, lad.