It is obvious to the reader that the speaker and the young athlete have a very close and personal relationship. The speaker describes the athlete as someone he admires. He addresses the athlete directly, congratulating him for dying at the peak of his performance. In the first stanza, the speaker reminds the athlete of the time not long ago when the young athlete won a race and was carried and celebrated by the people of his town. Housman uses this to compare it to the present time where the city once again carries the athlete on its shoulders, but now he is dead and being taken to the cemetery. Housman is telling the athlete here that even though he is now dead, he is still honored by his people and will be remembered for his accomplishments and bringing home the victory. The speaker also says Now you will not swell