Lesson 4: Time, You Old Gipsy Man

A Read and answer the following questions.

1. Have you ever seen a gipsy? If yes, where?
2. Do gipsies live in our country?
3. In what ways are they different from the general people?

B Now read the poem and answer the questions that follow.

Time, You Old Gipsy Man

• Ralph Hodgson

Time, you old gipsy man, Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for a day? All things I'll give you, Will you be my guest? Bells for your jennet Of silver the best.

Goldsmiths shall beat you A great golden ring, Questions 138 Peacocks shall bow to you. Little boys sing, Oh, and sweet girls will Festoon you with may. Time, you old gipsy, Why hasten away?

Last week in Babylon. Last night in Rome, Morning, and in the crush Under Paul's dome; Under Paul's dial You tighten your rein Only a moment And off once again;

Off to some city Now blind in the womb, Off to another Ere that's in the tomb.

Time, you old gipsy man, Will you not stay, Put up your caravan Just for a day?

1. Why does the poet call time an 'old gipsy man'?
2. Make a list of things the poet will offer time if it stays just for a day.
3. What else can you offer time if it stays for a day?