Tea-Fever

[ragashree]

Being John Masefield’s revision of his famous poem Sea-Fever, written when he was just twenty-one. This later and less well known poem reflects the changed circumstances and concerns of Masefield’s later life, from romantic young seafarer to a very comfortable and dull existence as landlocked poet laureate, fearless hunter of foxes, and establishment figurehead

I must have a cup of tea again, of the only tea that I buy,
And all I ask is a warm sip and a saucer standing by.
And the sweet cube, and the milk jug, and the slight thirst’s slaking
And the white scone on the clean plate of the wife’s own baking

I must have a cup of tea again, for the horn of the Huntsman’s ride
Is a blithe call and a clarion to the source of my life’s pride.
And all I ask is a windy tale with the black ink drying
And the bay crown, and the sack butt, and the public buying.

I must have a cup of tea again, to wake up my sleepy life
As I gaze out on my green lawn and play with the butter knife.
And all I see is an aeging hound, clapped out in a patch of clover
And the long sleep in the quiet bed when the long day’s over.