"Rose-lipped maidens, light foot lads"

Posted by ESC on June 19, 2006

In Reply to: "Rose-lipped maidens, light foot lads" posted by Bob on June 18, 2006

: : "Rose-lipped maidens, light foot lads" was a toast in the film "Out of Africa". What does it mean? Where does it come from?

: : Heiko Vogt

: It's from A. E. Housman's Shropshire Lad:

: With rue my heart is laden
: For golden friends I had,
: For many a rose-lipt maiden
: And many a lightfoot lad.

: By brooks too broad for leaping
: The lightfoot boys are laid;
: The rose-lipt girls are sleeping
: In fields where roses fade.

: At one point in my life, I made a habit of memorizing poems, particularly when spending time in airplanes. I nearly wore out my copy of Shropshire Lad, and had at least 15 poems from that wonderful book memorized. Many of those memories have faded like the roses....

It was a custom in U.S. schools long ago, to have students memorize and recite poems. I don't think anyone does that now. Pity.