Historical Tales

A guest post by Thomas Hood.

Thomas Hood (1799 – 1845) was a humorous writer, editor and poet. Born in the City of London, he was very much the patriotic Londoner. I’ve always enjoyed his pessimistic ode to this month, conveying an outlook I strongly share.

No

No sun–no moon!
No morn–no noon!
No dawn–no dusk–no proper time of day–
No sky–no earthly view–
No distance looking blue–

No road–no street–
No “t’other side the way”–
No end to any Row–
No indications where the Crescents go–

No top to any steeple–
No recognitions of familiar people–
No courtesies for showing ‘em–
No knowing ‘em!

No mail–no post–
No news from any foreign coast–
No park–no ring–no afternoon gentility–
No company–no nobility–

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member–
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!