CH
(25 April 1873 – 22 June 1956) was an English poet, short story writer and novelist, probably best remembered for his works for children and the poem "The Listeners".
He was born in Kent (at 83 Maryon Road, Charlton, now part of the London Borough of Greenwich
), descended from a family of French Huguenot
s, and was educated at St Paul's Cathedral School
.
His first book, Songs of Childhood, was published under the name Walter Ramal.
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,With silver claws and silver eye;And moveless fish in the water gleam,By silver reeds in a silver stream.
Here lies a most beautiful lady,Light of step and heart was she;I think she was the most beautiful ladyThat ever was in the West Country.
But beauty vanishes; beauty passes;However rare—rare it be;And when I crumble, who will rememberThis lady of the West Country?
Look thy last on all things lovely,Every hour—let no nightSeal thy sense in deathly slumberTill to delightThou hast paid thy utmost blessing.
‘Who knocks?’ ‘I, who was beautiful,Beyond all dreams to restore,I from the roots of the dark thorn am hither,And knock on the door.’
A face peered. All the grey nightIn chaos of vacancy shone;Nought but vast sorrow was there—The sweet cheat gone.
Do diddle di do,Poor Jim JayGot stuck fastIn Yesterday.
It's a very odd thing&mdas;As odd as can be—That whatever Miss T. eatsTurns into Miss T.
Three jolly huntsmen,In coats of red,Rode their horsesUp to bed.
Bang! Now the animalIs dead and dumb and done.Nevermore to peep again, creep again, leap again,Eat or sleep or drink again, oh, what fun!