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Jack's Last Muster by Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake
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href="/poem/4188/jack's-last-muster">Jack's Last Muster</a> </h1> <div class="poem-infos"> <h2><a href="/poet/Barcroft+Henry+Thomas+Boake">Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake</a></h2> <ul class="genres-list"><li><a href="genre/Childhood">Childhood</a></li><li><a href="genre/Death">Death</a></li><li><a href="genre/Humorous">Humorous</a></li><li><a href="genre/Life">Life</a></li><li><a href="genre/Love">Love</a></li><li><a href="genre/Nature">Nature</a></li><li><a href="genre/War">War</a></li></ul> </div> <hr> <div class="row"> <div class="adunit-middle adunit-middle-2col clearfix"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-12"><script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6071864913982699" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block; text-align:center;" data-ad-layout="in-article" data-ad-format="fluid" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6071864913982699" data-ad-slot="2643431785"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div> </div> </div> <hr> <blockquote> <div id="disp-quote-body">The first flush of grey light, the herald of daylight, <br /> Is <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/dimly">dimly</a> outlining the musterer's camp, <br /> Where over the sleeping, the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/stealthily">stealthily</a> creeping <br /> Breath of the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/morning">morning</a> lies <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/chilly">chilly</a> and damp, <br /> <br /> As, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/blankets">blankets</a> forsaking, 'twixt <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sleeping">sleeping</a> and waking, <br /> The black-boys turn out to the manager's call; <br /> Whose order, of course, is, "Be <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/after">after</a> the horses, <br /> And take all <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sorts">sorts</a> of care you <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/unhobble">unhobble</a> them all." <br /> <br /> Then, each with a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bridle">bridle</a> (provokingly idle) <br /> They <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/saunter">saunter</a> away his <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/commands">commands</a> to <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/fulfil">fulfil</a> - <br /> Where, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/cheerily">cheerily</a> chiming, the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/musical">musical</a> rhyming <br /> From <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/equine">equine</a> bell-ringers <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/comes">comes</a> over the hill. <br /> <br /> But now the dull <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/dawning">dawning</a> gives <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/place">place</a> to the morning, <br /> The sun, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/springing">springing</a> up in a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/glorious">glorious</a> flood <br /> Of golden-shot fire, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/mounts">mounts</a> higher and higher, <br /> Till the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/crests">crests</a> of the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sandhills">sandhills</a> are <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/stained">stained</a> with his <br /> blood. <br /> <br /> Now the hobble-chains' jingling, with the thud of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/hoofs">hoofs</a> <br /> mingling, <br /> Though distant, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sound">sound</a> near - the cool air is so <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/still">still</a> - <br /> As, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/urged">urged</a> by <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/their">their</a> whooping, the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/horses">horses</a> come <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/trooping">trooping</a> <br /> In <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/front">front</a> of the boys <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/round">round</a> the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/point">point</a> of the hill. <br /> <br /> What <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/searching">searching</a> and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rushing">rushing</a> for <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bridles">bridles</a> and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/brushing">brushing</a> <br /> Of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/saddle">saddle</a> marks, tight'ning of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/breastplate">breastplate</a> and girth; <br /> And what a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/strange">strange</a> jumble of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/laughter">laughter</a> and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/grumble">grumble</a> - <br /> Some comrade's <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/misfortune">misfortune</a> the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/subject">subject</a> of mirth. <br /> <br /> I <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/recollect">recollect</a> well how that <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/morning">morning</a> Jack Bell <br /> Had an <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/argument">argument</a> over the age of a mare, <br /> That C O B gray one, the dam of that bay one <br /> Which <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/Brown">Brown</a> the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/storekeeper">storekeeper</a> calls the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/young">young</a> Lady <br /> Clare. <br /> <br /> How <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/Tomboy">Tomboy</a> and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/Vanity">Vanity</a> caused much profanity, <br /> Scamping away with <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/their">their</a> tales in the air, <br /> Till <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/after">after</a> a chase, at a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/deuce">deuce</a> of a pace, <br /> They ran back in the mob and we <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/collared">collared</a> them <br /> there. <br /> <br /> Then the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/laugh">laugh</a> and the banter, as <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/gaily">gaily</a> we canter, <br /> With a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/pause">pause</a> for the nags at a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/miniature">miniature</a> lake, <br /> Where the “yellowtop” <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/catches">catches</a> the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sunlight">sunlight</a> in patches, <br /> And lies like a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/mirror">mirror</a> of gold in our wake. <br /> <br /> Oh! the rush and the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rattle">rattle</a> of fast-fleeing cattle, <br /> Whose <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/hoofs">hoofs</a> beat a mad <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rataplan">rataplan</a> on the earth; <br /> Their hot <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/headed">headed</a> flight in! Who <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/would">would</a> not <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/delight">delight</a> in <br /> The <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/gallop">gallop</a> that <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/seems">seems</a> to hold all that life is worth. <br /> <br /> And over the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rolling">rolling</a> plains, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/slowly">slowly</a> patrolling <br /> To the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sound">sound</a> of the cattle's <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/monotonous">monotonous</a> tramp, <br /> Till we hear the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sharp">sharp</a> pealing of stockwhips, <br /> revealing <br /> The fact that our <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/comrades">comrades</a> have put on the camp. <br /> <br /> From the spot <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/where">where</a> they're <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/drafting">drafting</a> the wind rises, <br /> wafting <br /> The dust, till it <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/hides">hides</a> man and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/beast">beast</a> from our gaze, <br /> Till, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/suddenly">suddenly</a> lifting and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/easterly">easterly</a> drifting, <br /> We <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/catch">catch</a> a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/short">short</a> glimpse of the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/scene">scene</a> through the <br /> haze. <br /> <br /> What a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/blending">blending</a> and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/blurring">blurring</a> of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/swiftly">swiftly</a> recurring <br /> Colour and movement, that pass on <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/their">their</a> way <br /> An <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/intricate">intricate</a> weaving of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sights">sights</a> and sounds, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/leaving">leaving</a> <br /> An <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/eager">eager</a> desire to take part in the fray: <br /> <br /> A <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/dusty">dusty</a> procession, in <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/circling">circling</a> succession, <br /> Of <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bullocks">bullocks</a> that <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bellow">bellow</a> in <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/impotent">impotent</a> rage; <br /> A <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bright">bright</a> panorama, a soul <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/stirring">stirring</a> drama, <br /> The sky for its background, the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/earth">earth</a> for its stage. <br /> <br /> How well I <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/remember">remember</a> that <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/twelfth">twelfth</a> of November, <br /> When Jack and his <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/little">little</a> mare, Vanity, fell; <br /> On the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/Diamantina">Diamantina</a> there <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/never">never</a> was seen a <br /> Pair who <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/could">could</a> cut out a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/beast">beast</a> half so well. <br /> <br /> And yet in one <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/second">second</a> Death's <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/finger">finger</a> had beckoned, <br /> And <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/horse">horse</a> and bold <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rider">rider</a> had <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/answered">answered</a> the call <br /> Brooking no hesitation, <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/without">without</a> preparation, <br /> That <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sooner">sooner</a> or <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/later">later</a> must come to us all. <br /> <br /> Thrice a big <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/curly">curly</a> horned Cobb <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/bullock">bullock</a> had <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/scorned">scorned</a> <br /> To <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/meekly">meekly</a> acknowledge the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/ruling">ruling</a> of fate; <br /> Thrice Jack with a <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/clout">clout</a> of his whip cut him out, <br /> But each time the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/beast">beast</a> galloped back to his mate. <br /> <br /> Once more, he came blund'ring along, with Jack <br /> thund'ring <br /> Beside him, his <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/spurs">spurs</a> in poor Vanity's flanks, <br /> As, from some <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/cause">cause</a> or <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/other">other</a> forsaking its mother, <br /> A <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/little">little</a> white calf <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/trotted">trotted</a> out from the ranks. <br /> <br /> 'Twas useless, I knew it, yet I <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/turned">turned</a> to <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/pursue">pursue</a> it; <br /> At the same time, I gave a loud <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/warning">warning</a> to Jack: <br /> It was all unavailing, I saw him come <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/sailing">sailing</a> <br /> Along as the <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/weaner">weaner</a> ran into his track. <br /> <br /> Little <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/Vanity">Vanity</a> tried to turn off on one side, <br /> Then <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/altered">altered</a> her mind and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/attempted">attempted</a> to leap; <br /> The pace was too fast, that jump was her last, <br /> For she and her <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/rider">rider</a> fell all in a heap. <br /> <br /> I was <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/quickly">quickly</a> down <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/kneeling">kneeling</a> beside him, and <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/feeling">feeling</a> <br /> With <a style="color:#333; "href="https://www.definitions.net/definition/tremulous">tremulous</a> hand for th</div> </blockquote> <div id="content-filters" class="clearfix"><span><span class="sort fsize"><strong>Font size:</strong><span class="rc3 s" data-size="xs" title="Normal size"><small><i class="far fa-font" aria-hidden="true"></i></small></span><span class="rc3" data-size="lg" title="Large size"><span class="fsl"><i class="far fa-font" aria-hidden="true"></i></span></span></span></span></div> <div class="clearfix poem-credits"> <div class="text-right" style="position:relative;float:right;top:-3px;right:-3px"> <a href="collection.php?add=4188" class="add-to-list s rc3" title="click to add Jack's Last Muster to your collection"><i class="fa-leaf fas" aria-hidden="true"></i> Collection</a> <a href="/poem-pdf/4188" class="add-to-list s rc3" title="click to down the Jack's Last Muster poem as PDF"><i class="far fa-file-pdf"></i></a> <a target="_blank" href="email.php?id=4188&type=poem" class="add-to-list s rc3" title="click to email Jack's Last Muster to a friend"><i class="fas fa-paper-plane"></i></a> <a target="_blank" href="print.php?id=4188" class="add-to-list s rc3" title="click to send Jack's Last Muster to your printer"><i class="fa-print fas" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> </div> <div class="visible-xs" style="margin-top:13px;"> </div> <p>Submitted on May 13, 2011</p> <p>Modified on March 05, 2023</p> <div class="poem-details"> <input id="poem-data" type="hidden" data-id="4188" data-type="poem"> <dl> <dt><i class="far fa-clock" aria-hidden="true"></i></dt> <dd>3:38 min read</dd> <dt><i class="far fa-eye" aria-hidden="true"></i></dt> <dd class="c-views">131<span class="hidden-xs"> Views</span></dd> </dl> </div> <hr> <div class="poem-analysis"> <h4>Quick analysis:</h4> <table class="table table-striped table-bordered"> <tbody> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Scheme</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">XABA BCDC ECBF BGHDG XBFBF BIEI JKLMK MKXXK HNDN EIXI BADBA DBOBMO BPBP LQXQ HJPJ XCLC XRXR SBTHT XSBS XUXU BX</td> </tr> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Closest metre</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">Iambic pentameter</td> </tr> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Characters</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">4,100</td> </tr> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Words</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">719</td> </tr> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Stanzas</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">21</td> </tr> <tr class="row"> <th class="col-xs-4 col-sm-3">Stanza Lengths</th> <td class="col-xs-8 col-sm-9">4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, 4, 4, 5, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 4, 4, 2</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="text-right"><a href="/poem-analysis/4188/jack%27s-last-muster">Full analysis for Jack's Last Muster »</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="disp-quote-author-meta"> <div id="disp-quote-author" class="author-thumb-ext" data-author="Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake" data-img="1"> <img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Where_the_Dead_Men_Lie_-_Barcroft_Boake.jpg/235px-Where_the_Dead_Men_Lie_-_Barcroft_Boake.jpg" class="author-thumb" alt="" loading="lazy" width="120"> </div> <p class="author"> <a href="/poet/Barcroft+Henry+Thomas+Boake">Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake</a> </p> <div class="countries-area small"><div><b><a href="/poets-by-birth-year/1866">1866</a></b></div><span class='hidden-xs'> – </span><div><b><a href="/poets-by-birth-year/1892">1892</a></b></div></div> <p class="author-bio">Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake was an Australian poet. <a href="https://www.biographies.net/search/Barcroft%20Henry%20Thomas%20Boake">more…</a></p> <p class="author-bio"><a href="/poet/Barcroft+Henry+Thomas+Boake">All Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake poems</a> | <a href="/product-search/Barcroft+Henry+Thomas+Boake" target="_blank">Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake Books</a></p> <div> <p class="fans-cnt" data-term="Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake" data-key="4188" data-page="poem"> <button class="btn btn-counter s " data-votes="0" data-pid="79" data-uid="" data-target="#login-modal" title="click to add your vote"><i class="fas fa-star" aria-hidden="true"></i> <span>Follow</span></button> <span class="fans rc3" onclick="location.href='https://www.poetry.com/poet-fans/79';">0 fans</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="callout comments-area"> <div id="s4-comments"> <h4>Discuss the poem <a 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</section> <section class="biblio"> <hgroup> <h3>Citation</h3> <h4>Use the citation below to add this poem to your bibliography:</h4> </hgroup> <div class="well rc5"> <span class="cit-copy-frame"><span class="cit-copy" title="Copy to clipboard"><i class="fas fa-clipboard" aria-hidden="true"></i></span></span> <p id="cite-style-select" data-term="Jack's Last Muster" data-key="4188" data-page="poem"><strong>Style:</strong><span class="rc3 s" id="cite-style-select-MLA" data-type="MLA">MLA</span><span class="rc3" id="cite-style-select-Chicago" data-type="Chicago">Chicago</span><span class="rc3" id="cite-style-select-APA" data-type="APA">APA</span></p> <p id="cite-content"><cite>"Jack's Last Muster"</cite> <em>Poetry.com.</em> STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 27 Mar. 2025. <<a href="https://www.poetry.com/poem/4188/jack's-last-muster" class="force-wrap">https://www.poetry.com/poem/4188/jack's-last-muster</a>>.</p> </div> <div class="citation-footer"> <span>Powered by <a href="https://www.cite.me" target="_blank" title="Cite.Me" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CITE.ME</a></span> <a href="https://www.cite.me" target="_blank" title="Cite.Me" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" aria-label="Cite.Me"><img loading="lazy" alt="Cite.Me" style="filter: grayscale(100%);" width="18" height="18" src="https://static.stands4.com/app_common/img/cite-me-gray.png" title="Cite.Me"></a> </div> </section> <div class="callout clearfix row"> <div> <div class="callout-int col-xs-12 col-sm-12"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8"> <hgroup> <h2>Become a member!</h2> <h3>Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!</h3> </hgroup> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 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