Lesson 4: Time, You Old Gipsy Man

A . Read and answer the following questions.

1. Have you seen any gipsy? If yes, where?

2. Do gypsies 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 Gypsy Man

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 golden ring,

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,

Note: Jennet-small Spanish horse

Morning, and in the crowd

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?

Ralph Hodgson

Questions

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?