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+ text-decoration:underline; + } + + a.note:active { + color: #cc0099; + background: inherit; + text-decoration:underline; + } + + + </style> + </head> + + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect, by +William Barnes + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect + +Author: William Barnes + +Release Date: June 9, 2007 [EBook #21785] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS OF RURAL LIFE *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + <a name="top"></a> + <p class="note">Transcriber's Note: Some of the Headings are in 'Old English Text' font, available <a href="#oefont">HERE</a>.<br /> + The <a href="#page459">Pronunciation Guide</a> and Word List are at the end of the book.</p> + <br /><br /><br /> +<br /> +<h1><i>POEMS OF RURAL LIFE</i></h1> +<br /> + +<h2><i>IN THE DORSET DIALECT.</i></h2> +<br /><br /> +<h4>BY</h4> +<h2>WILLIAM BARNES.</h2> +<br /><br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/001-135.png" width="135" height="151" alt="'Tree of Knowledge' and 'Tree of Life'" border="0" /></div> + +<br /><br /> +<h4>LONDON:</h4> +<h4>KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & Co., LTD.</h4> +<h4>1903</h4> + + +<br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /> + + + +<h3><i>TO THE READER.</i></h3> + + +<span class="sc"><b>Kind Reader</b></span>, +<p> +Two of the three Collections of these +Dorset Poems have been, for some time, out of print, and +the whole of the three sets are now brought out in one +volume.</p> +<p> +I have little more to say for them, than that the writing of +them as glimpses of life and landscape in Dorset, which often +open to my memory and mindsight, has given me very much +pleasure; and my happiness would be enhanced if I could +believe that you would feel my sketches to be so truthful and +pleasing as to give you even a small share of pleasure, such +as that of the memories from which I have written them.</p> +<p> +This edition has a list of such Dorset words as are found in +the Poems, with some hints on Dorset word shapes, and I +hope that they will be found a fully good key to the meanings +of the verse.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Yours kindly,</p> +<p class="author"> +W. BARNES</p> +<p class="note"> +<i>June 1879.</i></p> + +<br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /> + + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<h3>FIRST COLLECTION.</h3> + +<h4>SPRING.</h4> + +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> </td> + <td class="right" valign="top">Page<br /></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page3">The Spring</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page3">3</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p4">The Woodlands</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page4">4</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p5">Leädy-Day, an' Riddèn House</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page5">5</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page8">Easter Zunday</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page8">8</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page9">Easter Monday</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page9">9</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p9">Dock-Leaves</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page9">9</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p10">The Blackbird</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page10">10</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p12">Woodcom' Feäst</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page12">12</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p13">The Milk-Maïd o' the Farm</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page13">13</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page15">The Girt Woak Tree that's in the Dell</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page15">15</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p16">Vellèn o' the Tree </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page16">16</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p17">Bringèn Woone Gwaïn o' Zundays</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page17">17</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p18">Evenèn Twilight</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page18">18</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page20">Evenèn in the Village</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page20">20</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p20">May</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page20">20</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p22">Bob the Fiddler</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page22">22</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page23">Hope in Spring</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page23">23</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p24">The White Road up athirt the Hill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page24">24</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p25">The Woody Hollow</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page25">25</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p26">Jenny's Ribbons</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page26">26</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page28">Eclogue:—The 'Lotments</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page28">28</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p30">Eclogue:—A Bit o' Sly Coortèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page30">30</a></td> + </tr> + </table><br /> + +<h4>SUMMER.</h4> + +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page34">Evenèn, an' Maïdens out at Door</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page34">34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p35">The Shepherd o' the Farm</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page35">35</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p36">Vields in the Light</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page36">36</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p37">Whitsuntide an' Club Walkèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page37">37</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p39">Woodley</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page39">39</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page41">The Brook that Ran by Gramfer's</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page41">41</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p42">Sleep did come wi' the Dew</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page42">42</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p43">Sweet Music in the Wind</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page43">43</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p44">Uncle an' Aunt</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page44">44</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p46">Havèn Woones Fortune a-twold</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page46">46</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p47">Jeäne's Weddèn Day in Mornèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page47">47</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page49">Rivers don't gi'e out</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page49">49</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p50">Meäken up a Miff</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page50">50</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p51">Haÿ-Meäken</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page51">51</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p52">Haÿ-Carrèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page52">52</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page54">Eclogue:—The Best Man in the Vield</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page54">54</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page57">Where we did keep our Flagon</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page57">57</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p58">Week's End in Zummer, in the Wold Vo'k's Time</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page58">58</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p60">The Meäd a-mow'd</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page60">60</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p61">The Sky a-cleärèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page61">61</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p62">The Evenèn Star o' Zummer</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page62">62</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p63">The Clote</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page63">63</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page65">I got two Vields</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page65">65</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page66">Polly be-èn upzides wi' Tom</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page66">66</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p67">Be'mi'ster</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page67">67</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page68">Thatchèn o' the Rick</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page68">68</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p69">Bees a-Zwarmèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page69">69</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p70">Readèn ov a Head-stwone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page70">70</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p71">Zummer Evenèn Dance</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page71">71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p72">Eclogue:—The Veäiries</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page72">72</a></td> + </tr> +</table><br /> + +<h4>FALL.</h4> +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page76">Corn a-turnèn Yollow</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page76">76</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page77">A-Haulèn o' the Corn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page77">77</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p78">Harvest Hwome:—The vu'st Peärt</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page78">78</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p79">Harvest Hwome:—Second Peärt</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page79">79</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p80">A Zong ov Harvest Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page80">80</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p82">Poll's Jack-Daw</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page82">82</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p83">The Ivy </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page83">83</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p84">The Welshnut Tree</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page84">84</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page86">Jenny out vrom Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page86">86</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p86">Grenley Water</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page86">86</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p87">The Veäiry Veet that I do meet</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page87">87</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p88">Mornèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page88">88</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page90">Out a-Nuttèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page90">90</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p91">Teäkèn in Apples</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page91">91</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p92">Meäple Leaves be Yollow</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page92">92</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p93">Night a-zettèn in </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page93">93</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p94">The Weather-beäten Tree</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page94">94</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p95">Shrodon Feäir:—The vu'st Peärt</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page95">95</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p96">Shrodon Feäir:—The rest o't</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page96">96</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p97">Martin's Tide</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page97">97</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page99">Guy Faux's Night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page99">99</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page100">Eclogue:—The Common a-took in</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page100">100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p102">Eclogue:—Two Farms in Woone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page102">102</a></td> + </tr> +</table><br /> + +<h4>WINTER.</h4> +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page105">The Vrost</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page105">105</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p106">A Bit o' Fun</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page106">106</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p107">Fanny's Be'th-day</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page107">107</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p109">What Dick an' I did</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page109">109</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page111">Grammer's Shoes</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page111">111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p112">Zunsheen in the Winter</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page112">112</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p113">The Weepèn Leädy</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page113">113</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page115">The Happy Days when I wer Young</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page115">115</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p116">In the Stillness o' the Night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page116">116</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page117">The Settle an' the Girt Wood Vire</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page117">117</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p118">The Carter</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page118">118</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page120">Chris'mas Invitation</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page120">120</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p121">Keepèn up o' Chris'mas</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page121">121</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p122">Zittèn out the Wold Year</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page122">122</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p123">Woak wer Good Enough Woonce</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page123">123</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p124">Lullaby</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page124">124</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p125">Meäry-Ann's Child </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page125">125</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p126">Eclogue:—Father Come Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page126">126</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p129">Eclogue:—A Ghost </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page129">129</a></td> + </tr> + +</table><br /> + +<h3>SUNDRY PIECES.</h3> +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page133">A Zong</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page133">133</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page134">The Maïd vor my Bride</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page134">134</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page135">The Hwomestead</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page135">135</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page136">The Farmer's Woldest Dā'ter</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page136">136</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p137">Uncle out o' Debt an' out o' Danger</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page137">137</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page140">The Church an' Happy Zunday</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page140">140</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p141">The Wold Waggon</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page141">141</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p142">The Drèven o' the Common</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page142">142</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p143">The Common a-took in</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page143">143</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page145">A Wold Friend</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page145">145</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p145">The Rwose that Deck'd her Breast</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#p145">145</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page147">Nanny's Cow</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page147">147</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page148">The Shep'erd Bwoy</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page148">148</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page149">Hope a-left Behind</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page149">149</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p150">A Good Father</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page150">150</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page151">The Beam in Grenley Church</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page151">151</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p152">The Vaïces that be Gone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page152">152</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p153">Poll</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page153">153</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p154">Looks a-know'd Avore</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page154">154</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p155">The Music o' the Dead</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page155">155</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p156">The Pleäce a Teäle's a-twold o'</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page156">156</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page158">Aunt's Tantrums</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page158">158</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page159">The Stwonèn Pworch</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page159">159</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p160">Farmer's Sons</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page160">160</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p161">Jeäne</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page161">161</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p162">The Dree Woaks</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page162">162</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page164">The Hwomestead a-vell into Hand</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page164">164</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page166">The Guide Post</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page166">166</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p167">Gwain to Feäir</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page167">167</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page168">Jeäne o' Grenley Mill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page168">168</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p169">The Bells ov Alderburnham</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page169">169</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p170">The Girt Wold House o' Mossy Stwone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page170">170</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p173">A Witch</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page173">173</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page175">Eclogue:—The Times</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page175">175</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + + <br /><hr /><br /> + +<h3>SECOND COLLECTION.</h3> +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page185">Blackmwore Maïdens</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page185">185</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p186">My Orcha'd in Lindèn Lea</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page186">186</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p187">Bishop's Caundle</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page187">187</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p189">Hay Meäkèn—Nunchen Time </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page189">189</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p191">A Father out an' Mother Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page191">191</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p192">Riddles</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page192">192</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p196">Day's Work a-done</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page196">196</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p197-1">Light or Sheäde</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page197">197</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p197-2">The Waggon a-stooded</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page197">197</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page201">Gwaïn down the Steps</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page201">201</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p202">Ellen Brine ov Allenburn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page202">202</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p203">The Motherless Child</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page203">203</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p204">The Leädy's Tower</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page204">204</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p208">Fatherhood</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page208">208</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page211">The Maïd o' Newton</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page211">211</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p212">Childhood</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page212">212</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p213">Meäry's Smile</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page213">213</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p214">Meäry Wedded</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page214">214</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p215">The Stwonèn Bwoy</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page215">215</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p217">The Young that died in Beauty</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page217">217</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p218">Fäir Emily of Yarrow Mill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page218">218</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p219">The Scud</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page219">219</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p221">Mindèn House</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page221">221</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p222">The Lovely Maïd ov Elwell Meäd</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page222">222</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p224">Our Fathers' Works</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page224">224</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p225">The Wold vo'k Dead</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page225">225</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p227">Culver Dell and the Squire</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page227">227</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page229">Our Be'thplace</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page229">229</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p230">The Window freämed wi' Stwone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page230">230</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p231">The Waterspring in the Leäne</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page231">231</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p232">The Poplars</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page232">232</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p233">The Linden on the Lawn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page233">233</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p235">Our abode in Arby Wood</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page235">235</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p236-1">Slow to come, quick agone</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page236">236</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p236-2">The Vier-zide</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page236">236</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p238">Knowlwood</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page238">238</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page240">Hallowed Pleäces</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page240">240</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p242">The Wold Wall</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page242">242</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p243">Bleäke's House</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page243">243</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p245">John Bleäke at Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page245">245</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page247">Milkèn Time</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page247">247</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page248">When Birds be Still</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page248">248</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p249">Ridèn Hwome at Night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page249">249</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p250">Zun-zet.</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page250">250</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page252">Spring</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page252">252</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page253">The Zummer Hedge</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page253">253</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p254">The Water Crowvoot</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page254">254</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p255">The Lilac</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page255">255</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p256">The Blackbird</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page256">256</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p257">The Slantèn light o' Fall</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page257">257</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page259">Thissledown</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page259">259</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p259">The May-tree</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page259">259</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p260">The Lydlinch Bells</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page260">260</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p261">The Stage Coach</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page261">261</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p263">Wayfeärèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page263">263</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page265">The Leäne</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page265">265</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p267">The Raïlroad</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page267">267</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p268-1">The Raïlroad</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page268">268</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p268-2">Seats</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page268">268</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page270">Sound o' Water</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page270">270</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p270">Trees be Company</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page270">270</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p272">A Pleäce in Zight</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page272">272</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p273">Gwaïn to Brookwell</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page273">273</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p275">Brookwell</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page275">275</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p277">The Shy Man</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page277">277</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p279">The Winter's Willow</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page279">279</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p281">I know Who</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page281">281</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p282">Jessie Lee</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page282">282</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p283">True Love</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page283">283</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p284">The Beän-vield</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page284">284</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p286">Wold Friends a-met</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page286">286</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page288">Fifehead</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page288">288</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page289">Ivy Hall</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page289">289</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p290-1">False Friends-like</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page290">290</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p290-2">The Bachelor</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page290">290</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p292">Married Peäir's Love-walk</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page292">292</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p293">A Wife a-praïs'd</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page293">293</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p295">The Wife a-lost</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page295">295</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p296">The Thorns in the Geäte</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page296">296</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p297">Angels by the Door</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page297">297</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p298">Vo'k a-comèn into Church</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page298">298</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p299">Woone Rule</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page299">299</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p300">Good Meäster Collins</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page300">300</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p302">Herrènston</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page302">302</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p304">Out at Plough</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page304">304</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page306">The Bwoat</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page306">306</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page307">The Pleäce our own agean</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page307">307</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page308">Eclogue:—John an' Thomas</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page308">308</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p310">Pentridge by the River</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page310">310</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p311">Wheat</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page311">311</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p313">The Meäd in June</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page313">313</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p315">Early risén</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page315">315</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p316">Zelling woone's Honey</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page316">316</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p317">Dobbin Dead</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page317">317</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page319">Happiness</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page319">319</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p320">Gruffmoody Grim</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page320">320</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p322">The Turn o' the Days</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page322">322</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p323">The Sparrow Club</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page323">323</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p325">Gammony Gaÿ</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page325">325</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p327">The Heäre</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page327">327</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page329">Nanny Gill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page329">329</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p330">Moonlight on the Door</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page330">330</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p331">My Love's Guardian Angel</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page331">331</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p332">Leeburn Mill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page332">332</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p333">Praise o' Do'set</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page333">333</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<br /><hr /><br /> + +<h3>THIRD COLLECTION.</h3> +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page339">Woone Smile Mwore</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page339">339</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p340">The Echo</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page340">340</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p341">Vull a Man</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page341">341</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p343">Naighbour Plaÿmeätes</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page343">343</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page345">The Lark</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page345">345</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p345">The Two Churches</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page345">345</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page347">Woak Hill</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page347">347</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p348">The Hedger</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page348">348</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p349">In the Spring</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page349">349</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p350">The Flood in Spring</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page350">350</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p351">Comen Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page351">351</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p352">Grammer a-crippled </a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page352">352</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p354">The Castle Ruins</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page354">354</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p355">Eclogue:—John jealous</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page355">355</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page359">Early Plaÿmeäte</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page359">359</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p360">Pickèn o' Scroff</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page360">360</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p361">Good Night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page361">361</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p362">Went Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page362">362</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p363">The Hollow Woak</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page363">363</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p364">Childern's Childern</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page364">364</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p365">The Rwose in the Dark</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page365">365</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p366">Come</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page366">366</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p367">Zummer Winds</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page367">367</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p368">The Neäme Letters</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page368">368</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page370">The New House a-gettèn Wold</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page370">370</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p370">Zunday</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page370">370</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p371">The Pillar'd Geäte</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page371">371</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p373">Zummer Stream</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page373">373</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p374">Linda Deäne</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page374">374</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page376">Eclogue:—Come an' zee us</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page376">376</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p377">Lindenore</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page377">377</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p378">Me'th below the Tree</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page378">378</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p379">Treat well your Wife</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page379">379</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p381">The Child an' the Mowers</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page381">381</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p382">The Love Child</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page382">382</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p383">Hawthorn Down</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page383">383</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page385">Oben Vields</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page385">385</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page386">What John wer a-tellèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page386">386</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page387">Sheädes</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page387">387</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p387">Times o' Year</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page387">387</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p388">Eclogue:—Racketèn Joe</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page388">388</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p391">Zummer an' Winter</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page391">391</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page392">To Me</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page392">392</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p393">Two an' Two</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page393">393</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p394">The Lew o' the Rick</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page394">394</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p395">The Wind in Woone's Feäce</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page395">395</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page396">Tokens</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page396">396</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p396">Tweil</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page396">396</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p398">Fancy</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page398">398</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p399">The Broken Heart</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page399">399</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page400">Evenèn Light</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page400">400</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page401">Vields by Watervalls</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page401">401</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page402">The Wheel Routs</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page402">402</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p403">Nanny's new Abode</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page403">403</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p404">Leaves a-vallèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page404">404</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p405">Lizzie</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page405">405</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p406">Blessens a-left</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page406">406</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p407">Fall Time</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page407">407</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p408">Fall</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page408">408</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page409">The Zilver-weed</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page409">409</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p409">The Widow's House</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page409">409</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p410">The Child's Greäve</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page410">410</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page412">Went vrom Hwome</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page412">412</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p412">The Fancy Feäir</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page412">412</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p414">Things do Come Round</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page414">414</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p415">Zummer Thoughts in Winter Time</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page415">415</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p416">I'm out o' Door</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page416">416</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p417">Grief an' Gladness</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page417">417</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p418">Slidèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page418">418</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page420">Lwonesomeness</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page420">420</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page421">A Snowy Night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page421">421</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p421">The Year-clock</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page421">421</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p424">Not goo Hwome To-night</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page424">424</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page426">The Humstrum</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page426">426</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p427">Shaftesbury Feäir</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page427">427</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page429">The Beäten Path</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page429">429</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p430">Ruth a-ridèn</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page430">430</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p432-1">Beauty Undecked</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page432">432</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p432-2">My love is good</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page432">432</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p434">Heedless o' my love</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page434">434</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p435">The Do'set Militia</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page435">435</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page437">A Do'set Sale</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page437">437</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p437">Don't ceäre</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page437">437</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page439">Changes</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page439">439</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p440">Kindness</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page440">440</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p441">Withstanders</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page441">441</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p442">Daniel Dwithen</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page442">442</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page444">Turnèn things off</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page444">444</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p445">The Giants in Treädes</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page445">445</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p447">The Little Worold</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page447">447</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p448">Bad News</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page448">448</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p449">The Turnstile</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page449">449</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p450">The Better vor zeèn o' you</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page450">450</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p451">Pity</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page451">451</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page453">John Bloom in Lon'on</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page453">453</a></td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#p456">A Lot o' Maïdens</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page456">456</a></td> + </tr> + </table> + + <br /><hr /><br /> + + <h3>INDEX.</h3> + +<table width="80%" align="center" border="0" summary="contents"> +<tr> + <td class="left" width="80%" valign="top"> +<a class="contents" href="#page459">A List of Some Dorset Words</a> +</td> + <td class="right" valign="top"><a href="#page459">459</a></td> + </tr> + </table><br /> + +<br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /> + + +<h1>POEMS OF RURAL LIFE.</h1> + +<br /><hr class="short" /><br /><br /> + +<h2>FIRST COLLECTION.</h2><br /> +<a name="page3" id="page3"></a><span class="left">[page 3]</span> + +<h3>SPRING.</h3> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/rule0-100.png" width="100" height="17" alt="rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<h4>THE SPRING.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When wintry weather's all a-done,</p> + <p>An' brooks do sparkle in the zun,</p> + <p>An' nâisy-buildèn rooks do vlee</p> + <p>Wi' sticks toward their elem tree;</p> + <p>When birds do zing, an' we can zee</p> + <p class="i2">Upon the boughs the buds o' spring,—</p> + <p class="i2">Then I'm as happy as a king,</p> + <p class="i4">A-vield wi' health an' zunsheen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor then the cowslip's hangèn flow'r</p> + <p>A-wetted in the zunny show'r,</p> + <p>Do grow wi' vi'lets, sweet o' smell,</p> + <p>Bezide the wood-screen'd grægle's bell;</p> + <p>Where drushes' aggs, wi' sky-blue shell,</p> + <p class="i2">Do lie in mossy nest among</p> + <p class="i2">The thorns, while they do zing their zong</p> + <p class="i4">At evenèn in the zunsheen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' God do meäke his win' to blow</p> + <p>An' raïn to vall vor high an' low,</p> + <p>An' bid his mornèn zun to rise</p> + <p>Vor all alike, an' groun' an' skies</p> + <p>Ha' colors vor the poor man's eyes:</p> + <p class="i2">An' in our trials He is near,</p> + <p class="i2">To hear our mwoan an' zee our tear,</p> + <p class="i4">An' turn our clouds to zunsheen.</p></div> + +<a name="page4" id="page4"></a><span class="left">[page 4]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' many times when I do vind</p> + <p>Things all goo wrong, an' vo'k unkind,</p> + <p>To zee the happy veedèn herds,</p> + <p>An' hear the zingèn o' the birds,</p> + <p>Do soothe my sorrow mwore than words;</p> + <p class="i2">Vor I do zee that 'tis our sin</p> + <p class="i2">Do meäke woone's soul so dark 'ithin,</p> + <p class="i4">When God would gi'e woone zunsheen.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p4" id="p4"></a> +<h4>THE WOODLANDS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O spread ageän your leaves an' flow'rs,</p> + <p class="i2">Lwonesome woodlands! zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>Here underneath the dewy show'rs</p> + <p class="i2">O' warm-aïr'd spring-time, zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>As when, in drong or open ground,</p> + <p>Wi' happy bwoyish heart I vound</p> + <p>The twitt'rèn birds a-buildèn round</p> + <p class="i2">Your high-bough'd hedges, zunny woodlands.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>You gie'd me life, you gie'd me jaÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">Lwonesome woodlands! zunny woodlands</p> + <p>You gie'd me health, as in my plaÿ</p> + <p class="i2">I rambled through ye, zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>You gie'd me freedom, vor to rove</p> + <p>In aïry meäd or sheädy grove;</p> + <p>You gie'd me smilèn Fannèy's love,</p> + <p class="i2">The best ov all o't, zunny woodlands!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>My vu'st shrill skylark whiver'd high,</p> + <p class="i2">Lwonesome woodlands! zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>To zing below your deep-blue sky</p> + <p class="i2">An' white spring-clouds, O zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>An' boughs o' trees that woonce stood here,</p> + <p>Wer glossy green the happy year</p><a name="page5" id="page5"></a><span class="left">[page 5]</span> + <p>That gie'd me woone I lov'd so dear,</p> + <p class="i2">An' now ha' lost, O zunny woodlands!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O let me rove ageän unspied,</p> + <p class="i2">Lwonesome woodlands! zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>Along your green-bough'd hedges' zide,</p> + <p class="i2">As then I rambled, zunny woodlands!</p> + <p>An' where the missèn trees woonce stood,</p> + <p>Or tongues woonce rung among the wood,</p> + <p>My memory shall meäke em good,</p> + <p class="i2">Though you've a-lost em, zunny woodlands!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p5" id="p5"></a> +<h4>LEADY-DAY, AN' RIDDEN HOUSE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Aye, back at Leädy-Day, you know,</p> + <p>I come vrom Gullybrook to Stowe;</p> + <p>At Leädy-Day I took my pack</p> + <p>O' rottletraps, an' turn'd my back</p> + <p>Upon the weather-beäten door,</p> + <p>That had a-screen'd, so long avore,</p> + <p>The mwost that theäse zide o' the greäve,</p> + <p>I'd live to have, or die to seäve!</p> + <p>My childern, an' my vier-pleäce,</p> + <p>Where Molly wi' her cheerful feäce,</p> + <p>When I'd a-trod my wat'ry road</p> + <p>Vrom night-bedarken'd vields abrode,</p> + <p>Wi' nimble hands, at evenèn, blest</p> + <p>Wi' vire an' vood my hard-won rest;</p> + <p>The while the little woones did clim',</p> + <p>So sleek-skinn'd, up from lim' to lim',</p> + <p>Till, strugglèn hard an' clingèn tight,</p> + <p>They reach'd at last my feäce's height.</p> + <p>All tryèn which could soonest hold</p> + <p>My mind wi' little teäles they twold.</p><a name="page6" id="page6"></a><span class="left">[page 6]</span> + <p>An' riddèn house is such a caddle,</p> + <p>I shan't be over keen vor mwore ō't,</p> + <p>Not yet a while, you mid be sure ō't,—</p> + <p>I'd rather keep to woone wold staddle.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Well, zoo, avore the east begun</p> + <p>To redden wi' the comèn zun,</p> + <p>We left the beds our mossy thatch</p> + <p>Wer never mwore to overstratch,</p> + <p>An' borrow'd uncle's wold hoss <i>Dragon</i>,</p> + <p>To bring the slowly lumbrèn waggon,</p> + <p>An' when he come, we vell a-packèn</p> + <p>The bedsteads, wi' their rwopes an' zackèn;</p> + <p>An' then put up the wold eärm-chair,</p> + <p>An' cwoffer vull ov e'then-ware,</p> + <p>An' vier-dogs, an' copper kittle,</p> + <p>Wi' crocks an' saucepans, big an' little;</p> + <p>An' fryèn-pan, vor aggs to slide</p> + <p>In butter round his hissèn zide,</p> + <p>An' gridire's even bars, to bear</p> + <p>The drippèn steäke above the gleäre</p> + <p>O' brightly-glowèn coals. An' then,</p> + <p>All up o' top o' them ageän</p> + <p>The woaken bwoard, where we did eat</p> + <p>Our croust o' bread or bit o' meat,—</p> + <p>An' when the bwoard wer up, we tied</p> + <p>Upon the reäves, along the zide,</p> + <p>The woäken stools, his glossy meätes,</p> + <p>Bwoth when he's beäre, or when the pleätes</p> + <p>Do clatter loud wi' knives, below</p> + <p>Our merry feäces in a row.</p> + <p>An' put between his lags, turn'd up'ard,</p> + <p>The zalt-box an' the corner cupb'ard.</p> + <p>An' then we laid the wold clock-ceäse,</p> + <p>All dumb, athirt upon his feäce,</p> + <p>Vor we'd a-left, I needen tell ye,</p><a name="page7" id="page7"></a><span class="left">[page 7]</span> + <p>Noo works 'ithin his head or belly.</p> + <p>An' then we put upon the pack</p> + <p>The settle, flat upon his back;</p> + <p>An' after that, a-tied in pairs</p> + <p>In woone another, all the chairs,</p> + <p>An' bits o' lumber wo'th a ride,</p> + <p>An' at the very top a-tied,</p> + <p>The childern's little stools did lie,</p> + <p>Wi' lags a-turn'd towárd the sky:</p> + <p>Zoo there we lwoaded up our scroff,</p> + <p>An' tied it vast, an' started off.</p> + <p>An',—as the waggon cooden car all</p> + <p>We had to teäke,—the butter-barrel</p> + <p>An' cheese-wring, wi' his twinèn screw,</p> + <p>An' all the païls an' veäts, an' blue</p> + <p>Wold milk leads, and a vew things mwore,</p> + <p>Wer all a-carr'd the day avore,</p> + <p>And when the mwost ov our wold stuff</p> + <p>Wer brought outside o' thik brown ruf,</p> + <p>I rambled roun' wi' narrow looks,</p> + <p>In fusty holes an' darksome nooks,</p> + <p>To gather all I still mid vind,</p> + <p>O' rags or sticks a-left behind.</p> + <p>An' there the unlatch'd doors did creak,</p> + <p>A-swung by winds, a-streamèn weak</p> + <p>Drough empty rooms, an' meäkèn sad</p> + <p>My heart, where me'th woonce meäde me glad.</p> + <p>Vor when a man do leäve the he'th</p> + <p>An' ruf where vu'st he drew his breath,</p> + <p>Or where he had his bwoyhood's fun,</p> + <p>An' things wer woonce a-zaid an' done</p> + <p>That took his mind, do touch his heart</p> + <p>A little bit, I'll answer vor't.</p> + <p>Zoo riddèn house is such a caddle,</p> + <p>That I would rather keep my staddle.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page8" id="page8"></a><span class="left">[page 8]</span> + +<h4>EASTER ZUNDAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Last Easter Jim put on his blue</p> +<p>Frock cwoat, the vu'st time—vier new;</p> +<p>Wi' yollow buttons all o' brass,</p> +<p>That glitter'd in the zun lik' glass;</p> +<p>An' pok'd 'ithin the button-hole</p> +<p>A tutty he'd a-begg'd or stole.</p> +<p>A span-new wes'co't, too, he wore,</p> +<p>Wi' yollow stripes all down avore;</p> +<p>An' tied his breeches' lags below</p> +<p>The knee, wi' ribbon in a bow;</p> +<p>An' drow'd his kitty-boots azide,</p> +<p>An' put his laggèns on, an' tied</p> +<p>His shoes wi' strings two vingers wide,</p> + <p class="i6">Because 'twer Easter Zunday.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' after mornèn church wer out</p> +<p>He come back hwome, an' stroll'd about</p> +<p>All down the vields, an' drough the leäne,</p> +<p>Wi' sister Kit an' cousin Jeäne,</p> +<p>A-turnèn proudly to their view</p> +<p>His yollow breast an' back o' blue.</p> +<p>The lambs did plaÿ, the grounds wer green,</p> +<p>The trees did bud, the zun did sheen;</p> +<p>The lark did zing below the sky,</p> +<p>An' roads wer all a-blown so dry,</p> +<p>As if the zummer wer begun;</p> +<p>An' he had sich a bit o' fun!</p> +<p>He meäde the maïdens squeäl an' run,</p> + <p class="i6">Because 'twer Easter Zunday.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="page9" id="page9"></a><span class="left">[page 9]</span> + +<h4>EASTER MONDAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo o' Monday we got drough</p> +<p>Our work betimes, an ax'd a vew</p> +<p>Young vo'k vrom Stowe an' Coom, an' zome</p> +<p>Vrom uncle's down at Grange, to come.</p> +<p>An' they so spry, wi' merry smiles,</p> +<p>Did beät the path an' leäp the stiles,</p> +<p>Wi' two or dree young chaps bezide,</p> +<p>To meet an' keep up Easter tide:</p> +<p>Vor we'd a-zaid avore, we'd git</p> +<p>Zome friends to come, an' have a bit</p> +<p>O' fun wi' me, an' Jeäne, an' Kit,</p> + <p class="i6">Because 'twer Easter Monday.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there we plaÿ'd away at quaïts,</p> +<p>An' weigh'd ourzelves wi' sceäles an' waïghts;</p> +<p>An' jump'd to zee who jump'd the spryest,</p> +<p>An' sprung the vurdest an' the highest;</p> +<p>An' rung the bells vor vull an hour.</p> +<p>An' plaÿ'd at vives ageän the tower.</p> +<p>An' then we went an' had a taït,</p> +<p>An' cousin Sammy, wi' his waïght,</p> +<p>Broke off the bar, he wer so fat!</p> +<p>An' toppled off, an' vell down flat</p> +<p>Upon his head, an' squot his hat,</p> + <p class="i6">Because 'twer Easter Monday.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p9" id="p9"></a> + +<h4>DOCK-LEAVES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The dock-leaves that do spread so wide</p> +<p>Up yonder zunny bank's green zide,</p> +<p>Do bring to mind what we did do</p> +<p>At plaÿ wi' dock-leaves years agoo:</p><a name="page10" id="page10"></a><span class="left">[page 10]</span> +<p>How we,—when nettles had a-stung</p> +<p>Our little hands, when we wer young,—</p> +<p>Did rub em wi' a dock, an' zing</p> +<p>"<i>Out nettl', in dock. In dock, out sting.</i>"</p> +<p>An' when your feäce, in zummer's het,</p> +<p>Did sheen wi' tricklèn draps o' zweat,</p> +<p>How you, a-zot bezide the bank,</p> +<p>Didst toss your little head, an' pank,</p> +<p>An' teäke a dock-leaf in your han',</p> +<p>An' whisk en lik' a leädy's fan;</p> +<p>While I did hunt, 'ithin your zight,</p> +<p>Vor streaky cockle-shells to fight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In all our plaÿ-geämes we did bruise</p> +<p>The dock-leaves wi' our nimble shoes;</p> +<p>Bwoth where we merry chaps did fling</p> +<p>You maïdens in the orcha'd swing,</p> +<p>An' by the zaw-pit's dousty bank,</p> +<p>Where we did taït upon a plank.</p> +<p>—(D'ye mind how woonce, you cou'den zit</p> +<p>The bwoard, an' vell off into pit?)</p> +<p>An' when we hunted you about</p> +<p>The grassy barken, in an' out</p> +<p>Among the ricks, your vlèe-èn frocks</p> +<p>An' nimble veet did strik' the docks.</p> +<p>An' zoo they docks, a-spread so wide</p> +<p>Up yonder zunny bank's green zide,</p> +<p>Do bring to mind what we did do,</p> +<p>Among the dock-leaves years agoo.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p10" id="p10"></a> + +<h4>THE BLACKBIRD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ov all the birds upon the wing</p> +<p>Between the zunny show'rs o' spring,—</p> +<p>Vor all the lark, a-swingèn high,</p> +<p>Mid zing below a cloudless sky.</p><a name="page11" id="page11"></a><span class="left">[page 11]</span> +<p>An' sparrows, clust'rèn roun' the bough,</p> +<p>Mid chatter to the men at plough,—</p> +<p>The blackbird, whisslèn in among</p> +<p>The boughs, do zing the gaÿest zong.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor we do hear the blackbird zing</p> +<p>His sweetest ditties in the spring,</p> +<p>When nippèn win's noo mwore do blow</p> +<p>Vrom northern skies, wi' sleet or snow,</p> +<p>But drēve light doust along between</p> +<p>The leäne-zide hedges, thick an' green;</p> +<p>An' zoo the blackbird in among</p> +<p>The boughs do zing the gaÿest zong.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis blithe, wi' newly-open'd eyes,</p> +<p>To zee the mornèn's ruddy skies;</p> +<p>Or, out a-haulèn frith or lops</p> +<p>Vrom new-plēsh'd hedge or new-vell'd copse,</p> +<p>To rest at noon in primrwose beds</p> +<p>Below the white-bark'd woak-trees' heads;</p> +<p>But there's noo time, the whole däy long,</p> +<p>Lik' evenèn wi' the blackbird's zong.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor when my work is all a-done</p> +<p>Avore the zettèn o' the zun,</p> +<p>Then blushèn Jeäne do walk along</p> +<p>The hedge to meet me in the drong,</p> +<p>An' staÿ till all is dim an' dark</p> +<p>Bezides the ashen tree's white bark;</p> +<p>An' all bezides the blackbird's shrill</p> +<p>An' runnèn evenèn-whissle's still.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there in bwoyhood I did rove</p> +<p>Wi' pryèn eyes along the drove</p> +<p>To vind the nest the blackbird meäde</p> +<p>O' grass-stalks in the high bough's sheäde:</p><a name="page12" id="page12"></a><span class="left">[page 12]</span> +<p>Or clim' aloft, wi' clingèn knees,</p> +<p>Vor crows' aggs up in swaÿèn trees,</p> +<p>While frighten'd blackbirds down below</p> +<p>Did chatter o' their little foe.</p> +<p>An' zoo there's noo pleäce lik' the drong,</p> +<p>Where I do hear the blackbird's zong.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p12" id="p12"></a> + +<h4>WOODCOM' FEAST.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, Fanny, come! put on thy white,</p> +<p>'Tis Woodcom' feäst, good now! to-night.</p> +<p>Come! think noo mwore, you silly maïd,</p> +<p>O' chickèn drown'd, or ducks a-straÿ'd;</p> +<p>Nor mwope to vind thy new frock's taïl</p> +<p>A-tore by hitchèn in a naïl;</p> +<p>Nor grieve an' hang thy head azide,</p> +<p>A-thinkèn o' thy lam' that died.</p> +<p>The flag's a-vleèn wide an' high,</p> +<p>An' ringèn bells do sheäke the sky;</p> +<p>The fifes do play, the horns do roar,</p> +<p>An' boughs be up at ev'ry door:</p> +<p>They 'll be a-dancèn soon,—the drum</p> +<p>'S a-rumblèn now. Come, Fanny, come!</p> +<p>Why father's gone, an' mother too.</p> +<p>They went up leäne an hour agoo;</p> +<p>An' at the green the young and wold</p> +<p>Do stan' so thick as sheep in vwold:</p> +<p>The men do laugh, the bwoys do shout,—</p> +<p>Come out you mwopèn wench, come out,</p> +<p>An' go wi' me, an' show at leäst</p> +<p>Bright eyes an' smiles at Woodcom' feäst.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, let's goo out, an' fling our heels</p> +<p>About in jigs an' vow'r-han' reels;</p> +<p>While äll the stiff-lagg'd wolder vo'k,</p> +<p>A-zittèn roun', do talk an' joke</p><a name="page13" id="page13"></a><span class="left">[page 13]</span> +<p>An' smile to zee their own wold rigs.</p> +<p>A-show'd by our wild geämes an' jigs.</p> +<p>Vor ever since the vwold church speer</p> +<p>Vu'st prick'd the clouds, vrom year to year,</p> +<p>When grass in meäd did reach woone's knees,</p> +<p>An' blooth did kern in apple-trees,</p> +<p>Zome merry day 'v' a-broke to sheen</p> +<p>Above the dance at Woodcom' green,</p> +<p>An' all o' they that now do lie</p> +<p>So low all roun' the speer so high,</p> +<p>Woonce, vrom the biggest to the leäst,</p> +<p>Had merry hearts at Woodcom' feäst.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo keep it up, an' gi'e it on</p> +<p>To other vo'k when we be gone.</p> +<p>Come otit; vor when the zettèn zun</p> +<p>Do leäve in sheäde our harmless fun,</p> +<p>The moon a-risèn in the east</p> +<p>Do gi'e us light at Woodcom' feäst.</p> +<p>Come, Fanny, come! put on thy white,</p> +<p>'Tis merry Woodcom' feäst to night:</p> +<p>There's nothèn vor to mwope about,—</p> +<p>Come out, you leäzy jeäde, come out!</p> +<p>An' thou wult be, to woone at leäst,</p> +<p>The prettiest maïd at Woodcom' feäst.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p13" id="p13"></a> + +<h4>THE MILK-MAID O' THE FARM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O Poll's the milk-maïd o' the farm!</p> + <p class="i2">An' Poll's so happy out in groun',</p> +<p>Wi' her white païl below her eärm</p> + <p class="i2">As if she wore a goolden crown.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' Poll don't zit up half the night,</p> + <p class="i2">Nor lie vor half the day a-bed;</p> +<p>An' zoo her eyes be sparklèn bright,</p> + <p class="i2">An' zoo her cheäks be bloomèn red.</p></div> + +<a name="page14" id="page14"></a><span class="left">[page 14]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In zummer mornèns, when the lark</p> + <p class="i2">Do rouse the litty lad an' lass</p> +<p>To work, then she's the vu'st to mark</p> + <p class="i2">Her steps along the dewy grass.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' in the evenèn, when the zun</p> + <p class="i2">Do sheen ageän the western brows</p> +<p>O' hills, where bubblèn brooks do run,</p> + <p class="i2">There she do zing bezide her cows.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' ev'ry cow of hers do stand,</p> + <p class="i2">An' never overzet her païl;</p> +<p>Nor try to kick her nimble hand,</p> + <p class="i2">Nor switch her wi' her heavy taïl.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Noo leädy, wi' her muff an' vaïl,</p> + <p class="i2">Do walk wi' sich a steätely tread</p> +<p>As she do, wi' her milkèn païl</p> + <p class="i2">A-balanc'd on her comely head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' she, at mornèn an' at night,</p> + <p class="i2">Do skim the yollow cream, an' mwold</p> +<p>An' wring her cheeses red an' white,</p> + <p class="i2">An' zee the butter vetch'd an' roll'd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' in the barken or the ground,</p> + <p class="i2">The chaps do always do their best</p> +<p>To milk the vu'st their own cows round,</p> + <p class="i2">An' then help her to milk the rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo Poll's the milk-maïd o' the farm!</p> + <p class="i2">An' Poll's so happy out in groun',</p> +<p>Wi' her white païl below her eärm,</p> + <p class="i2">As if she wore a goolden crown.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + + +<a name="page15" id="page15"></a><span class="left">[page 15]</span> + + +<h4>THE GIRT WOAK TREE THAT'S IN THE DELL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The girt woak tree that's in the dell!</p> + <p>There's noo tree I do love so well;</p> + <p>Vor times an' times when I wer young,</p> + <p>I there've a-climb'd, an' there've a-zwung,</p> + <p>An' pick'd the eäcorns green, a-shed</p> + <p>In wrestlèn storms vrom his broad head.</p> + <p>An' down below's the cloty brook</p> + <p>Where I did vish with line an' hook,</p> + <p>An' beät, in plaÿsome dips and zwims,</p> + <p>The foamy stream, wi' white-skinn'd lim's.</p> + <p>An' there my mother nimbly shot</p> + <p>Her knittèn-needles, as she zot</p> + <p>At evenèn down below the wide</p> + <p>Woak's head, wi' father at her zide.</p> + <p>An' I've a-plaÿed wi' many a bwoy,</p> + <p>That's now a man an' gone awoy;</p> + <p class="i2">Zoo I do like noo tree so well</p> + <p class="i2">'S the girt woak tree that's in the dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there, in leäter years, I roved</p> + <p>Wi' thik poor maïd I fondly lov'd,—</p> + <p>The maïd too feäir to die so soon,—</p> + <p>When evenèn twilight, or the moon,</p> + <p>Cast light enough 'ithin the pleäce</p> + <p>To show the smiles upon her feäce,</p> + <p>Wi' eyes so clear's the glassy pool,</p> + <p>An' lips an' cheäks so soft as wool.</p> + <p>There han' in han', wi' bosoms warm,</p> + <p>Wi' love that burn'd but thought noo harm,</p> + <p>Below the wide-bough'd tree we past</p> + <p>The happy hours that went too vast;</p> + <p>An' though she'll never be my wife,</p> + <p>She's still my leäden star o' life.</p><a name="page16" id="page16"></a><span class="left">[page 16]</span> + <p>She's gone: an' she've a-left to me</p> + <p>Her mem'ry in the girt woak tree;</p> + <p class="i2">Zoo I do love noo tree so well</p> + <p class="i2">'S the girt woak tree that's in the dell</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' oh! mid never ax nor hook</p> + <p>Be brought to spweil his steätely look;</p> + <p>Nor ever roun' his ribby zides</p> + <p>Mid cattle rub ther heäiry hides;</p> + <p>Nor pigs rout up his turf, but keep</p> + <p>His lwonesome sheäde vor harmless sheep;</p> + <p>An' let en grow, an' let en spread,</p> + <p>An' let en live when I be dead.</p> + <p>But oh! if men should come an' vell</p> + <p>The girt woak tree that's in the dell,</p> + <p>An' build his planks 'ithin the zide</p> + <p>O' zome girt ship to plough the tide,</p> + <p>Then, life or death! I'd goo to sea,</p> + <p>A saïlèn wi' the girt woak tree:</p> + <p>An' I upon his planks would stand,</p> + <p>An' die a-fightèn vor the land,—</p> + <p>The land so dear,—the land so free,—</p> + <p>The land that bore the girt woak tree;</p> + <p class="i2">Vor I do love noo tree so well</p> + <p class="i2">'S the girt woak tree that's in the dell.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + + + +<a name="p16" id="p16"></a> + +<h4>VELLEN O' THE TREE.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, the girt elem tree out in little hwome groun'</p> +<p>Wer a-stannèn this mornèn, an' now's a-cut down.</p> +<p>Aye, the girt elem tree, so big roun' an' so high,</p> +<p>Where the mowers did goo to their drink, an' did lie</p> +<p>In the sheäde ov his head, when the zun at his heighth</p> +<p>Had a-drove em vrom mowèn, wi' het an' wi' drîth,</p><a name="page17" id="page17"></a><span class="left">[page 17]</span> +<p>Where the haÿ-meäkers put all their picks an' their reäkes,</p> +<p>An' did squot down to snabble their cheese an' their ceäkes,</p> +<p>An' did vill vrom their flaggons their cups wi' their eäle,</p> +<p>An' did meäke theirzelves merry wi' joke an' wi' teäle.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, we took up a rwope an' we tied en all round</p> +<p>At the top o'n, wi' woone end a-hangèn to ground,</p> +<p>An' we cut, near the ground, his girt stem a'most drough,</p> +<p>An' we bent the wold head o'n wi' woone tug or two;</p> +<p>An' he sway'd all his limbs, an' he nodded his head,</p> +T<p>ill he vell away down like a pillar o' lead:</p> +<p>An' as we did run vrom en, there; clwose at our backs,</p> +<p>Oh! his boughs come to groun' wi' sich whizzes an' cracks;</p> +<p>An' his top wer so lofty that, now he is down,</p> +<p>The stem o'n do reach a-most over the groun'.</p> +<p>Zoo the girt elem tree out in little hwome groun'</p> +<p>Wer a-stannèn this mornèn, an' now's a-cut down.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p17" id="p17"></a> + +<h4>BRINGEN WOONE GWAÏN<a href="#p17n"><sup>*</sup></a> O' ZUNDAYS.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! John! how I do love to look</p> +<p>At theäse green hollor, an' the brook</p> +<p>Among the withies that do hide</p> +<p>The stream, a-growèn at the zide;</p> +<p>An' at the road athirt the wide</p> + <p class="i2">An' shallow vword, where we young bwoys</p> + <p class="i2">Did peärt, when we did goo half-woys,</p> + <p class="i4">To bring ye gwaïn o' Zundays.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor after church, when we got hwome,</p> +<p>In evenèn you did always come</p> +<p>To spend a happy hour or two</p> +<p>Wi' us, or we did goo to you;</p><a name="page18" id="page18"></a><span class="left">[page 18]</span> +<p>An' never let the comers goo</p> + <p class="i2">Back hwome alwone, but always took</p> + <p class="i2">A stroll down wi' em to the brook</p> + <p class="i4">To bring em gwaïn o' Zundays.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How we did scote all down the groun',</p> +<p>A-pushèn woone another down!</p> +<p>Or challengèn o' zides in jumps</p> +<p>Down over bars, an' vuzz, an' humps;</p> +<p>An' peärt at last wi' slaps an' thumps,</p> + <p class="i2">An' run back up the hill to zee</p> + <p class="i2">Who'd get hwome soonest, you or we.</p> + <p class="i4">That brought ye gwaïn o' Zundays.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O' leäter years, John, you've a-stood</p> +<p>My friend, an' I've a-done you good;</p> +<p>But tidden, John, vor all that you</p> +<p>Be now, that I do like ye zoo,</p> +<p>But what you wer vor years agoo:</p> + <p class="i2">Zoo if you'd stir my heart-blood now.</p> + <p class="i2">Tell how we used to play, an' how</p> + <p class="i4">You brought us gwaïn o' Zundays.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="p17n" id="p17n"></a> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p17"><sup>*</sup></a> "To bring woone gwaïn,"—to bring one going;</span></p> +<p class="i2"><span style="font-size: smaller;">to bring one on his way.</span></p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p18" id="p18"></a> + +<h4>EVENÈN TWILIGHT.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! they vew zummers brought us round</p> +<p>The happiest days that we've a-vound,</p> +<p>When in the orcha'd, that did stratch</p> +<p>To westward out avore the patch</p> +<p>Ov high-bough'd wood, an' shelve to catch</p> + <p class="i2">The western zun-light, we did meet</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' merry tongues an' skippèn veet</p> + <p class="i4">At evenèn in the twilight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The evenèn aïr did fan, in turn,</p> +<p>The cheäks the midday zun did burn.</p><a name="page19" id="page19"></a><span class="left">[page 19]</span> +<p>An' zet the russlèn leaves at plaÿ,</p> +<p>An' meäke the red-stemm'd brembles sway</p> +<p>In bows below the snow-white maÿ;</p> + <p class="i2">An' whirlèn roun' the trees, did sheäke</p> + <p class="i2">Jeäne's raven curls about her neck,</p> + <p class="i4">They evenèns in the twilight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the yollow light did rest</p> +<p>Upon the bank towárd the west,</p> +<p>An' twitt'rèn birds did hop in drough</p> +<p>The hedge, an' many a skippèn shoe</p> +<p>Did beät the flowers, wet wi' dew,</p> + <p class="i2">As underneäth the tree's wide limb</p> + <p class="i2">Our merry sheäpes did jumpy, dim,</p> + <p class="i4">They evenèns in the twilight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How sweet's the evenèn dusk to rove</p> +<p>Along wi' woone that we do love!</p> +<p>When light enough is in the sky</p> +<p>To sheäde the smile an' light the eye</p> +<p>'Tis all but heaven to be by;</p> + <p class="i2">An' bid, in whispers soft an' light</p> + <p class="i2">'S the ruslèn ov a leaf, "Good night,"</p> + <p class="i4">At evenèn in the twilight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' happy be the young an' strong,</p> +<p>That can but work the whole day long</p> +<p>So merry as the birds in spring;</p> +<p>An' have noo ho vor any thing</p> +<p>Another day mid teäke or bring;</p> + <p class="i2">But meet, when all their work's a-done,</p> + <p class="i2">In orcha'd vor their bit o' fun</p> + <p class="i4">At evenèn in the twilight.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page20" id="page20"></a><span class="left">[page 20]</span> + +<h4>EVENÈN IN THE VILLAGE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Now the light o' the west is a-turn'd to gloom,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the men be at hwome vrom ground;</p> + <p>An' the bells be a-zendèn all down the Coombe</p> + <p class="i2">From tower, their mwoansome sound.</p> + <p class="i6">An' the wind is still,</p> + <p class="i4">An' the house-dogs do bark,</p> + <p>An' the rooks be a-vled to the elems high an' dark,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the water do roar at mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' the flickerèn light drough the window-peäne</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom the candle's dull fleäme do shoot,</p> + <p>An' young Jemmy the smith is a-gone down leäne,</p> + <p class="i2">A-plaÿèn his shrill-vaïced flute.</p> + <p class="i6">An' the miller's man</p> + <p class="i4">Do zit down at his ease</p> + <p>On the seat that is under the cluster o' trees.</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' his pipe an' his cider can.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p20" id="p20"></a> + +<h4>MAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come out o' door, 'tis Spring! 'tis Maÿ</p> +<p>The trees be green, the vields be gaÿ;</p> +<p>The weather's warm, the winter blast,</p> +<p>Wi' all his traïn o' clouds, is past;</p> +<p>The zun do rise while vo'k do sleep,</p> +<p>To teäke a higher daily zweep,</p> +<p>Wi' cloudless feäce a-flingèn down</p> +<p>His sparklèn light upon the groun'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The air's a-streamèn soft,—come drow</p> +<p>The windor open; let it blow</p><a name="page21" id="page21"></a><span class="left">[page 21]</span> +<p>In drough the house, where vire, an' door</p> +<p>A-shut, kept out the cwold avore.</p> +<p>Come, let the vew dull embers die,</p> +<p>An' come below the open sky;</p> +<p>An' wear your best, vor fear the groun'</p> +<p>In colours gaÿ mid sheäme your gown:</p> +<p>An' goo an' rig wi' me a mile</p> +<p>Or two up over geäte an' stile,</p> +<p>Drough zunny parrocks that do leäd,</p> +<p>Wi' crooked hedges, to the meäd,</p> +<p>Where elems high, in steätely ranks,</p> +<p>Do rise vrom yollow cowslip-banks,</p> +<p>An' birds do twitter vrom the spraÿ</p> +<p>O' bushes deck'd wi' snow-white maÿ;</p> +<p>An' gil'cups, wi' the deäisy bed,</p> +<p>Be under ev'ry step you tread.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We'll wind up roun' the hill, an' look</p> +<p>All down the thickly-timber'd nook,</p> +<p>Out where the squier's house do show</p> +<p>His grey-wall'd peaks up drough the row</p> +<p>O' sheädy elems, where the rook</p> +<p>Do build her nest; an' where the brook</p> +<p>Do creep along the meäds, an' lie</p> +<p>To catch the brightness o' the sky;</p> +<p>An' cows, in water to theïr knees,</p> +<p>Do stan' a-whiskèn off the vlees.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Mother o' blossoms, and ov all</p> +<p>That's feäir a-yield vrom Spring till Fall,</p> +<p>The gookoo over white-weäv'd seas</p> +<p>Do come to zing in thy green trees,</p> +<p>An' buttervlees, in giddy flight,</p> +<p>Do gleäm the mwost by thy gaÿ light</p> +<p>Oh! when, at last, my fleshly eyes</p> +<p>Shall shut upon the vields an' skies,</p><a name="page22" id="page22"></a><span class="left">[page 22]</span> +<p>Mid zummer's zunny days be gone,</p> +<p>An' winter's clouds be comèn on:</p> +<p>Nor mid I draw upon the e'th,</p> +<p>O' thy sweet aïr my leätest breath;</p> +<p>Alassen I mid want to staÿ</p> +<p>Behine' for thee, O flow'ry May!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p22" id="p22"></a> + +<h4>BOB THE FIDDLER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! Bob the fiddler is the pride</p> + <p>O' chaps an' maïdens vur an' wide;</p> + <p>They can't keep up a merry tide,</p> + <p class="i2">But Bob is in the middle.</p> + <p>If merry Bob do come avore ye,</p> + <p>He'll zing a zong, or tell a story;</p> + <p>But if you'd zee en in his glory,</p> + <p class="i2">Jist let en have a fiddle.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Aye, let en tuck a crowd below</p> + <p>His chin, an' gi'e his vist a bow,</p> + <p>He'll dreve his elbow to an' fro',</p> + <p class="i2">An' plaÿ what you do please.</p> + <p>At Maypolèn, or feäst, or feäir,</p> + <p>His eärm wull zet off twenty peäir,</p> + <p>An' meäke em dance the groun' dirt-beäre,</p> + <p class="i2">An' hop about lik' vlees.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Long life to Bob! the very soul</p> + <p>O' me'th at merry feäst an' pole;</p> + <p>Vor when the crowd do leäve his jowl,</p> + <p class="i2">They'll all be in the dumps.</p> + <p>Zoo at the dance another year,</p> + <p>At <i>Shillinston</i> or <i>Hazelbur'</i>,</p> + <p>Mid Bob be there to meäke em stir,</p> + <p class="i2">In merry jigs, their stumps!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page23" id="page23"></a><span class="left">[page 23]</span> + +<h4>HOPE IN SPRING</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>In happy times a while agoo,</p> + <p class="i2">My lively hope, that's now a-gone</p> + <p>Did stir my heart the whole year drough,</p> + <p class="i2">But mwost when green-bough'd spring come on;</p> + <p>When I did rove, wi' litty veet,</p> + <p>Drough deäisy-beds so white's a sheet,</p> + <p>But still avore I us'd to meet</p> + <p class="i2">The blushèn cheäks that bloom'd vor me!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' afterward, in lightsome youth,</p> + <p class="i2">When zummer wer a-comèn on,</p> + <p>An' all the trees wer white wi' blooth,</p> + <p class="i2">An' dippèn zwallows skimm'd the pon';</p> + <p>Sweet hope did vill my heart wi' jaÿ,</p> + <p>An' tell me, though thik spring wer gaÿ,</p> + <p>There still would come a brighter Maÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' blushèn cheäks to bloom vor me!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when, at last, the time come roun',</p> + <p class="i2">An' brought a lofty zun to sheen</p> + <p>Upon my smilèn Fanny, down</p> + <p class="i2">Drough nēsh young leaves o' yollow green;</p> + <p>How charmèn wer the het that glow'd,</p> + <p>How charmèn wer the sheäde a-drow'd,</p> + <p>How charmèn wer the win' that blow'd</p> + <p class="i2">Upon her cheäks that bloom'd vor me!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But hardly did they times begin,</p> + <p class="i2">Avore I vound em short to staÿ:</p> + <p>An' year by year do now come in,</p> + <p class="i2">To peärt me wider vrom my jaÿ,</p> + <p>Vor what's to meet, or what's to peärt,</p> + <p>Wi' maïdens kind, or maïdens smart,</p> + <p>When hope's noo longer in the heart,</p> + <p class="i2">An' cheäks noo mwore do bloom vor me!</p></div> + +<a name="page24" id="page24"></a><span class="left">[page 24]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But there's a worold still to bless</p> + <p class="i2">The good, where zickness never rose;</p> + <p>An' there's a year that's winterless,</p> + <p class="i2">Where glassy waters never vroze;</p> + <p>An' there, if true but e'thly love</p> + <p>Do seem noo sin to God above,</p> + <p>'S a smilèn still my harmless dove,</p> + <p class="i2">So feäir as when she bloom'd vor me!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p24" id="p24"></a> + +<h4>THE WHITE ROAD UP ATHIRT THE HILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When hot-beam'd zuns do strik right down,</p> + <p>An' burn our zweaty feäzen brown;</p> + <p>An' zunny slopes, a-lyèn nigh,</p> + <p>Be back'd by hills so blue's the sky;</p> + <p>Then, while the bells do sweetly cheem</p> + <p>Upon the champèn high-neck'd team,</p> + <p>How lively, wi' a friend, do seem</p> + <p class="i2">The white road up athirt the hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The zwellèn downs, wi' chalky tracks</p> + <p>A-climmèn up their zunny backs,</p> + <p>Do hide green meäds an' zedgy brooks.</p> + <p>An' clumps o' trees wi' glossy rooks,</p> + <p>An' hearty vo'k to laugh an' zing,</p> + <p>An' parish-churches in a string,</p> + <p>Wi' tow'rs o' merry bells to ring,</p> + <p class="i2">An' white roads up athirt the hills.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>At feäst, when uncle's vo'k do come</p> + <p>To spend the day wi' us at hwome,</p> + <p>An' we do lay upon the bwoard</p> + <p>The very best we can avvword,</p> + <p>The wolder woones do talk an' smoke,</p> + <p>An' younger woones do plaÿ an' joke,</p> + <p>An' in the evenèn all our vo'k</p> + <p class="i2">Do bring em gwaïn athirt the hill.</p></div> + +<a name="page25" id="page25"></a><span class="left">[page 25]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' while the green do zwarm wi' wold</p> + <p>An' young, so thick as sheep in vwold,</p> + <p>The bellows in the blacksmith's shop,</p> + <p>An' miller's moss-green wheel do stop,</p> + <p>An' lwonesome in the wheelwright's shed</p> + <p>'S a-left the wheelless waggon-bed;</p> + <p>While zwarms o' comèn friends do tread</p> + <p class="i2">The white road down athirt the hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the windèn road so white,</p> + <p>A-climmèn up the hills in zight,</p> + <p>Do leäd to pleäzen, east or west,</p> + <p>The vu'st a-known, an' lov'd the best,</p> + <p>How touchèn in the zunsheen's glow,</p> + <p>Or in the sheädes that clouds do drow</p> + <p>Upon the zunburnt downs below,</p> + <p class="i2">'S the white road up athirt the hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>What peaceful hollows here the long</p> + <p>White roads do windy round among!</p> + <p>Wi' deäiry cows in woody nooks,</p> + <p>An' haymeäkers among their pooks,</p> + <p>An' housen that the trees do screen</p> + <p>From zun an' zight by boughs o' green!</p> + <p>Young blushèn beauty's hwomes between</p> + <p class="i2">The white roads up athirt the hills.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p25" id="p25"></a> + +<h4>THE WOODY HOLLOW.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>If mem'ry, when our hope's a-gone,</p> + <p>Could bring us dreams to cheat us on,</p> + <p>Ov happiness our hearts voun' true</p> + <p>In years we come too quickly drough;</p> + <p>What days should come to me, but you,</p> + <p class="i2">That burn'd my youthvul cheäks wi' zuns</p> + <p class="i2">O' zummer, in my plaÿsome runs</p> + <p class="i4">About the woody hollow.</p></div> + +<a name="page26" id="page26"></a><span class="left">[page 26]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When evenèn's risèn moon did peep</p> + <p>Down drough the hollow dark an' deep,</p> + <p>Where gigglèn sweethearts meäde their vows</p> + <p>In whispers under waggèn boughs;</p> + <p>When whisslèn bwoys, an' rott'lèn ploughs</p> + <p class="i2">Wer still, an' mothers, wi' their thin</p> + <p class="i2">Shrill vaïces, call'd their daughters in,</p> + <p class="i4">From walkèn in the hollow;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>What souls should come avore my zight,</p> + <p>But they that had your zummer light?</p> + <p>The litsome younger woones that smil'd</p> + <p>Wi' comely feäzen now a-spweil'd;</p> + <p>Or wolder vo'k, so wise an' mild,</p> + <p class="i2">That I do miss when I do goo</p> + <p class="i2">To zee the pleäce, an' walk down drough</p> + <p class="i4">The lwonesome woody hollow?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When wrongs an' overbearèn words</p> + <p>Do prick my bleedèn heart lik' swords,</p> + <p>Then I do try, vor Christes seäke,</p> + <p>To think o' you, sweet days! an' meäke</p> + <p>My soul as 'twer when you did weäke</p> + <p class="i2">My childhood's eyes, an' when, if spite</p> + <p class="i2">Or grief did come, did die at night</p> + <p class="i4">In sleep 'ithin the hollow.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p26" id="p26"></a> + +<h4>JENNY'S RIBBONS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Jean ax'd what ribbon she should wear</p> +<p>'Ithin her bonnet to the feäir?</p> +<p>She had woone white, a-gi'ed her when</p> +<p>She stood at Meäry's chrissenèn;</p> +<p>She had woone brown, she had woone red,</p> +<p>A keepseäke vrom her brother dead,</p><a name="page27" id="page27"></a><span class="left">[page 27]</span> +<p>That she did like to wear, to goo</p> +<p>To zee his greäve below the yew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She had woone green among her stock,</p> +<p>That I'd a-bought to match her frock;</p> +<p>She had woone blue to match her eyes,</p> +<p>The colour o' the zummer skies,</p> +<p>An' thik, though I do like the rest,</p> +<p>Is he that I do like the best,</p> +<p>Because she had en in her heäir</p> +<p>When vu'st I walk'd wi' her at feäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The brown, I zaid, would do to deck</p> +<p>Thy heäir; the white would match thy neck;</p> +<p>The red would meäke thy red cheäk wan</p> +<p>A-thinkèn o' the gi'er gone;</p> +<p>The green would show thee to be true;</p> +<p>But still I'd sooner zee the blue,</p> +<p>Because 'twer he that deck'd thy heäir</p> +<p>When vu'st I walk'd wi' thee at feäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo, when she had en on, I took</p> +<p>Her han' 'ithin my elbow's crook,</p> +<p>An' off we went athirt the weir</p> +<p>An' up the meäd toward the feäir;</p> +<p>The while her mother, at the geäte,</p> +<p>Call'd out an' bid her not staÿ leäte,</p> +<p>An' she, a-smilèn wi' her bow</p> +<p>O' blue, look'd roun' and nodded, <i>No</i>.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<a name="page28" id="page28"></a><span class="left">[page 28]</span> + + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>THE 'LOTMENTS.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John and Richard.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo you be in your groun' then, I do zee,</p> +<p>A-workèn and a-zingèn lik' a bee.</p> +<p>How do it answer? what d'ye think about it?</p> +<p>D'ye think 'tis better wi' it than without it?</p> +<p>A-recknèn rent, an' time, an' zeed to stock it,</p> +<p>D'ye think that you be any thing in pocket?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>RICHARD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O', 'tis a goodish help to woone, I'm sure o't.</p> +<p>If I had not a-got it, my poor bwones</p> +<p>Would now ha' eäch'd a-crackèn stwones</p> +<p>Upon the road; I wish I had zome mwore o't.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I wish the girt woones had a-got the greäce</p> +<p>To let out land lik' this in ouer pleäce;</p> +<p>But I do fear there'll never be nwone vor us,</p> +<p>An' I can't tell whatever we shall do:</p> +<p>We be a-most starvèn, an' we'd goo</p> +<p>To 'merica, if we'd enough to car us.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>RICHARD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why 'twer the squire, good now! a worthy man,</p> +<p>That vu'st brought into ouer pleäce the plan,</p> +<p>He zaid he'd let a vew odd eäcres</p> +<p>O' land to us poor leäb'rèn men;</p><a name="page29" id="page29"></a><span class="left">[page 29]</span> +<p>An', faïth, he had enough o' teäkers</p> +<p>Vor that, an' twice so much ageän.</p> +<p>Zoo I took zome here, near my hovel,</p> +<p>To exercise my speäde an' shovel;</p> +<p>An' what wi' dungèn, diggèn up, an' zeedèn,</p> +<p>A-thinnèn, cleänèn, howèn up an' weedèn,</p> +<p>I, an' the biggest o' the childern too,</p> +<p>Do always vind some useful jobs to do.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, wi' a bit o' ground, if woone got any,</p> +<p>Woone's bwoys can soon get out an' eärn a penny;</p> +<p>An' then, by workèn, they do learn the vaster</p> +<p>The way to do things when they have a meäster;</p> +<p>Vor woone must know a deäl about the land</p> +<p>Bevore woone's fit to lend a useful hand,</p> +<p>In geärden or a-vield upon a farm.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>RICHARD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the work do keep em out o' harm;</p> +<p>Vor vo'ks that don't do nothèn wull be vound</p> +<p>Soon doèn woorse than nothèn, I'll be bound.</p> +<p>But as vor me, d'ye zee, with theäse here bit</p> +<p>O' land, why I have ev'ry thing a'mwost:</p> +<p>Vor I can fatten vowels for the spit,</p> +<p>Or zell a good fat goose or two to rwoast;</p> +<p>An' have my beäns or cabbage, greens or grass,</p> +<p>Or bit o' wheat, or, sich my happy feäte is,</p> +<p>That I can keep a little cow, or ass,</p> +<p>An' a vew pigs to eat the little teäties.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when your pig's a-fatted pretty well</p> +<p>Wi' teäties, or wi' barley an' some bran,</p> +<p>Why you've a-got zome vlitches vor to zell,</p> +<p>Or hang in chimney-corner, if you can.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page30" id="page30"></a><span class="left">[page 30]</span> + +<h5>RICHARD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, that's the thing; an' when the pig do die,</p> +<p>We got a lot ov offal for to fry,</p> +<p>An' netlèns for to bwoil; or put the blood in,</p> +<p>An' meäke a meal or two o' good black-pudden.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'd keep myzelf from parish, I'd be bound,</p> +<p>If I could get a little patch o' ground.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<a name="p30" id="p30"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>A BIT O' SLY COORTEN.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John and Fanny.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now, Fanny, 'tis too bad, you teazèn maïd!</p> +<p>How leäte you be a' come! Where have ye staÿ'd?</p> +<p>How long you have a-meäde me waït about!</p> +<p>I thought you werden gwaïn to come ageän:</p> +<p>I had a mind to goo back hwome ageän.</p> +<p>This idden when you promis'd to come out.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now 'tidden any good to meäke a row,</p> +<p>Upon my word, I cooden come till now.</p> +<p>Vor I've a-been kept in all day by mother,</p> +<p>At work about woone little job an' t'other.</p> +<p>If you do want to goo, though, don't ye staÿ</p> +<p>Vor me a minute longer, I do praÿ.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page31" id="page31"></a><span class="left">[page 31]</span> + + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I thought you mid be out wi' Jemmy Bleäke,</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' why be out wi' him, vor goodness' seäke?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You walk'd o' Zunday evenèn wi'n, d'ye know,</p> +<p>You went vrom church a-hitch'd up in his eärm.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, if I did, that werden any harm.</p> +<p>Lauk! that <i>is</i> zome'at to teäke notice o'.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He took ye roun' the middle at the stile,</p> +<p>An' kiss'd ye twice 'ithin the ha'f a mile.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, at the stile, because I shoulden vall,</p> +<p>He took me hold to help me down, that's all;</p> +<p>An' I can't zee what very mighty harm</p> +<p>He could ha' done a-lendèn me his eärm.</p> +<p>An' as vor kissèn o' me, if he did,</p> +<p>I didden ax en to, nor zay he mid:</p> +<p>An' if he kiss'd me dree times, or a dozen,</p> +<p>What harm wer it? Why idden he my cousin?</p> +<p>An' I can't zee, then, what there is amiss</p> +<p>In cousin Jem's jist gi'èn me a kiss.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, he shan't kiss ye, then; you shan't be kiss'd</p> +<p>By his girt ugly chops, a lanky houn'!</p> +<p>If I do zee'n, I'll jist wring up my vist</p> +<p>An' knock en down.</p> +<p>I'll squot his girt pug-nose, if I don't miss en;</p> +<p>I'll warn I'll spweil his pretty lips vor kissèn!</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page32" id="page32"></a><span class="left">[page 32]</span> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, John, I'm sure I little thought to vind</p> +<p>That you had ever sich a jealous mind.</p> +<p>What then! I s'pose that I must be a dummy,</p> +<p>An' mussen goo about nor wag my tongue</p> +<p>To any soul, if he's a man, an' young;</p> +<p>Or else you'll work yourzelf up mad wi' passion,</p> +<p>An' talk away o' gi'èn vo'k a drashèn,</p> +<p>An' breakèn bwones, an' beäten heads to pummy!</p> +<p>If you've a-got sich jealous ways about ye,</p> +<p>I'm sure I should be better off 'ithout ye.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, if girt Jemmy have a-won your heart,</p> +<p>We'd better break the coortship off, an' peärt.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He won my heart! There, John, don't talk sich stuff;</p> +<p>Don't talk noo mwore, vor you've a-zaid enough.</p> +<p>If I'd a-lik'd another mwore than you,</p> +<p>I'm sure I shoulden come to meet ye zoo;</p> +<p>Vor I've a-twold to father many a storry,</p> +<p>An' took o' mother many a scwoldèn vor ye.</p> + <p class="i12">[<i>weeping.</i>]</p> +<p>But 'twull be over now, vor you shan't zee me</p> +<p>Out wi' ye noo mwore, to pick a quarrel wi' me.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, Fanny, I woon't zay noo mwore, my dear.</p> +<p>Let's meäke it up. Come, wipe off thik there tear.</p> +<p>Let's goo an' zit o' top o' theäse here stile,</p> +<p>An' rest, an' look about a little while.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now goo away, you crabbed jealous chap!</p> +<p>You shan't kiss me,—you shan't! I'll gi' ye a slap.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page33" id="page33"></a><span class="left">[page 33]</span> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then you look smilèn; don't you pout an' toss</p> +<p>Your head so much, an' look so very cross.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now, John! don't squeeze me roun' the middle zoo.</p> +<p>I woon't stop here noo longer, if you do.</p> +<p>Why, John! be quiet, wull ye? Fie upon it!</p> +<p>Now zee how you've a-wrumpl'd up my bonnet!</p> +<p>Mother'ill zee it after I'm at hwome,</p> +<p>An' gi'e a guess directly how it come.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then don't you zay that I be jealous, Fanny.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I wull: vor you <i>be</i> jealous, Mister Jahnny.</p> +<p>There's zomebody a-comèn down the groun'</p> +<p>Towards the stile. Who is it? Come, get down</p> +<p>I must run hwome, upon my word then, now;</p> +<p>If I do staÿ, they'll kick up sich a row.</p> +<p>Good night. I can't staÿ now.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i6">Then good night, Fanny!</p> +<p>Come out a-bit to-morrow evenèn, can ye?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page34" id="page34"></a><span class="left">[page 34]</span> + +<h3>SUMMER.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/rule0-100.png" width="100" height="17" alt="rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + + +<h4>EVENÈN, AN' MAIDENS OUT AT DOOR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now the sheädes o' the elems do stratch mwore an' mwore,</p> +<p>Vrom the low-zinkèn zun in the west o' the sky;</p> +<p>An' the maïdens do stand out in clusters avore</p> +<p>The doors, vor to chatty an' zee vo'k goo by.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' their cwombs be a-zet in their bunches o' heäir,</p> +<p>An' their currels do hang roun' their necks lily-white,</p> +<p>An' their cheäks they be rwosy, their shoulders be beäre,</p> +<p>Their looks they be merry, their limbs they be light.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' the times have a-been—but they cant be noo mwore—</p> +<p>When I had my jaÿ under evenèn's dim sky,</p> +<p>When my Fanny did stan' out wi' others avore</p> +<p>Her door, vor to chatty an' zee vo'k goo by.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' up there, in the green, is her own honey-zuck,</p> +<p>That her brother traïn'd up roun' her window; an' there</p> +<p>Is the rwose an' the jessamy, where she did pluck</p> +<p>A flow'r vor her bosom or bud vor her heäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo smile, happy maïdens! vor every feäce,</p> +<p>As the zummers do come, an' the years do roll by,</p> +<p>Will soon sadden, or goo vur away vrom the pleäce,</p> +<p>Or else, lik' my Fanny, will wither an' die.</p></div> + +<a name="page35" id="page35"></a><span class="left">[page 35]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when you be a-lost vrom the parish, zome mwore</p> +<p>Will come on in your pleäzen to bloom an' to die;</p> +<p>An' the zummer will always have maïdens avore</p> +<p>Their doors, vor to chatty an' zee vo'k goo by.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor daughters ha' mornèn when mothers ha' night,</p> +<p>An' there's beauty alive when the feäirest is dead;</p> +<p>As when woone sparklèn weäve do zink down vrom the light,</p> +<p>Another do come up an' catch it instead.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo smile on, happy maïdens! but I shall noo mwore</p> +<p>Zee the maïd I do miss under evenèn's dim sky;</p> +<p>An' my heart is a-touch'd to zee you out avore</p> +<p>The doors, vor to chatty an' zee vo'k goo by.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p35" id="p35"></a> + +<h4>THE SHEPHERD O' THE FARM.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! I be shepherd o' the farm,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' tinklèn bells an' sheep-dog's bark,</p> + <p>An' wi' my crook a-thirt my eärm,</p> + <p class="i2">Here I do rove below the lark.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do bide all day among</p> + <p class="i2">The bleäten sheep, an' pitch their vwold;</p> + <p>An' when the evenèn sheädes be long,</p> + <p class="i2">Do zee em all a-penn'd an' twold.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do zee the friskèn lam's,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' swingèn taïls an' woolly lags,</p> + <p>A-playèn roun' their veedèn dams</p> + <p class="i2">An' pullèn o' their milky bags.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I bezide a hawthorn tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Do' zit upon the zunny down,</p> + <p>While sheädes o' zummer clouds do vlee</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' silent flight along the groun'.</p></div> + +<a name="page36" id="page36"></a><span class="left">[page 36]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there, among the many cries</p> + <p class="i2">O' sheep an' lambs, my dog do pass</p> + <p>A zultry hour, wi' blinkèn eyes,</p> + <p class="i2">An' nose a-stratch'd upon the grass;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But, in a twinklèn, at my word,</p> + <p class="i2">He's all awake, an' up, an' gone</p> + <p>Out roun' the sheep lik' any bird,</p> + <p class="i2">To do what he's a-zent upon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do goo to washèn pool,</p> + <p class="i2">A-sousèn over head an' ears,</p> + <p>The shaggy sheep, to cleän their wool</p> + <p class="i2">An' meäke em ready vor the sheärs.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the shearèn time do come,</p> + <p class="i2">Then we do work vrom dawn till dark;</p> + <p>Where zome do shear the sheep, and zome</p> + <div class="stanza"> <p class="i2">Do mark their zides wi' meästers mark.</p></div> + + <p>An' when the shearèn's all a-done,</p> + <p class="i2">Then we do eat, an' drink, an' zing,</p> + <p>In meäster's kitchen till the tun</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' merry sounds do sheäke an' ring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! I be shepherd o' the farm,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' tinklèn bells an' sheep dog's bark,</p> + <p>An' wi' my crook a-thirt my eärm,</p> + <p class="i2">Here I do rove below the lark.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p36" id="p36"></a> + +<h4>VIELDS IN THE LIGHT.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Woone's heart mid leäp wi' thoughts o' jaÿ</p> +<p>In comèn manhood light an' gaÿ</p> +<p>When we do teäke the worold on</p> +<p>Vrom our vore-elders dead an' gone;</p><a name="page37" id="page37"></a><span class="left">[page 37]</span> +<p>But days so feäir in hope's bright eyes</p> +<p>Do often come wi' zunless skies:</p> +<p>Woone's fancy can but be out-done,</p> +<p>Where trees do swaÿ an' brooks do run,</p> +<p>By risèn moon or zettèn zun.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor when at evenèn I do look</p> +<p>All down theäse hangèn on the brook,</p> +<p>Wi' weäves a-leäpèn clear an' bright,</p> +<p>Where boughs do swaÿ in yollow light;</p> +<p>Noo hills nor hollows, woods nor streams,</p> +<p>A-voun' by daÿ or zeed in dreams,</p> +<p>Can ever seem so fit to be</p> +<p>Good angel's hwomes, though they do gi'e</p> +<p>But païn an' tweil to such as we.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when by moonlight darksome sheädes</p> +<p>Do lie in grass wi' dewy bleädes,</p> +<p>An' worold-hushèn night do keep</p> +<p>The proud an' angry vast asleep,</p> +<p>When I can think, as I do rove,</p> +<p>Ov only souls that I do love;</p> +<p>Then who can dream a dream to show,</p> +<p>Or who can think o' moons to drow,</p> +<p>A sweeter light to rove below?</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p37" id="p37"></a> + +<h4>WHITSUNTIDE AN' CLUB WALKEN.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, last Whit-Monday, I an' Meäry</p> +<p>Got up betimes to mind the deäiry;</p> +<p>An' gi'ed the milkèn païls a scrub,</p> +<p>An' dress'd, an' went to zee the club.</p> +<p>Vor up at public-house, by ten</p> +<p>O'clock the pleäce wer vull o' men,</p> +<p>A-dress'd to goo to church, an' dine,</p> +<p>An' walk about the pleäce in line.</p><a name="page38" id="page38"></a><span class="left">[page 38]</span> +<p>Zoo off they started, two an' two,</p> +<p>Wi' païnted poles an' knots o' blue,</p> +<p>An' girt silk flags,—I wish my box</p> +<p>'D a-got em all in ceäpes an' frocks,—</p> +<p>A-weävèn wide an' flappèn loud</p> +<p>In plaÿsome winds above the crowd;</p> +<p>While fifes did squeak an' drums did rumble,</p> +<p>An' deep beäzzoons did grunt an' grumble,</p> +<p>An' all the vo'k in gath'rèn crowds</p> +<p>Kick'd up the doust in smeechy clouds,</p> +<p>That slowly rose an' spread abrode</p> +<p>In streamèn aïr above the road.</p> +<p>An' then at church there wer sich lots</p> +<p>O' hats a-hangèn up wi' knots,</p> +<p>An' poles a-stood so thick as iver,</p> +<p>The rushes stood beside a river.</p> +<p>An' Mr Goodman gi'ed em warnèn</p> +<p>To spend their evenèn lik' their mornèn;</p> +<p>An' not to praÿ wi' mornèn tongues,</p> +<p>An' then to zwear wi' evenèn lungs:</p> +<p>Nor vu'st sheäke hands, to let the wrist</p> +<p>Lift up at last a bruisèn vist:</p> +<p>Vor clubs were all a-meän'd vor friends,</p> +<p>He twold em, an' vor better ends</p> +<p>Than twitèn vo'k an' pickèn quarrels,</p> +<p>An' tipplèn cups an' emptèn barrels,—</p> +<p>Vor meäkèn woone man do another</p> +<p>In need the kindness ov a brother.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' after church they went to dine</p> +<p>'Ithin the long-wall'd room behine</p> +<p>The public-house, where you remember,</p> +<p>We had our dance back last December.</p> +<p>An' there they meäde sich stunnèn clatters</p> +<p>Wi' knives an' forks, an' pleätes an' platters;</p><a name="page39" id="page39"></a><span class="left">[page 39]</span> +<p>An' waïters ran, an' beer did pass</p> +<p>Vrom tap to jug, vrom jug to glass:</p> +<p>An' when they took away the dishes,</p> +<p>They drink'd good healths, an' wish'd good wishes,</p> +<p>To all the girt vo'k o' the land,</p> +<p>An' all good things vo'k took in hand;</p> +<p>An' woone cried <i>hip, hip, hip!</i> an' hollow'd,</p> +<p>An' tothers all struck in, an' vollow'd;</p> +<p>An' grabb'd their drink wi' eager clutches,</p> +<p>An' swigg'd it wi' sich hearty glutches,</p> +<p>As vo'k, stark mad wi' pweison stuff,</p> +<p>That thought theirzelves not mad enough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' after that they went all out</p> +<p>In rank ageän, an' walk'd about,</p> +<p>An' gi'ed zome parish vo'k a call;</p> +<p>An', then went down to Narley Hall</p> +<p>An' had zome beer, an' danc'd between</p> +<p>The elem trees upon the green.</p> +<p>An' down along the road they done</p> +<p>All sorts o' mad-cap things vor fun;</p> +<p>An' danc'd, a-pokèn out their poles,</p> +<p>An' pushèn bwoys down into holes:</p> +<p>An' Sammy Stubbs come out o' rank,</p> +<p>An' kiss'd me up ageän the bank,</p> +<p>A saucy chap; I ha'nt vor'gied en</p> +<p>Not yet,—in short, I han't a-zeed en.</p> +<p>Zoo in the dusk ov evenèn, zome</p> +<p>Went back to drink, an' zome went hwome.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p39" id="p39"></a> + +<h4>WOODLEY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Sweet Woodley! oh! how fresh an' gaÿ</p> +<p>Thy leänes an' vields be now in Maÿ,</p> +<p>The while the broad-leav'd clotes do zwim</p> +<p>In brooks wi' gil'cups at the brim;</p><a name="page40" id="page40"></a><span class="left">[page 40]</span> +<p>An' yollow cowslip-beds do grow</p> +<p>By thorns in blooth so white as snow;</p> +<p>An' win' do come vrom copse wi' smells</p> +<p>O' grægles wi' their hangèn bells!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though time do dreve me on, my mind</p> +<p>Do turn in love to thee behind,</p> +<p>The seäme's a bulrush that's a-shook</p> +<p>By wind a-blowèn up the brook:</p> +<p>The curlèn stream would dreve en down,</p> +<p>But plaÿsome aïr do turn en roun',</p> +<p>An' meäke en seem to bend wi' love</p> +<p>To zunny hollows up above.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Thy tower still do overlook</p> +<p>The woody knaps an' windèn brook,</p> +<p>An' leäne's wi' here an' there a hatch,</p> +<p>An' house wi' elem-sheäded thatch,</p> +<p>An' vields where chaps do vur outdo</p> +<p>The Zunday sky, wi' cwoats o' blue;</p> +<p>An' maïdens' frocks do vur surpass</p> +<p>The whitest deäsies in the grass.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>What peals to-day from thy wold tow'r</p> +<p>Do strike upon the zummer flow'r,</p> +<p>As all the club, wi' dousty lags,</p> +<p>Do walk wi' poles an' flappèn flags,</p> +<p>An' wind, to music, roun' between</p> +<p>A zwarm o' vo'k upon the green!</p> +<p>Though time do dreve me on, my mind</p> +<p>Do turn wi' love to thee behind.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page41" id="page41"></a><span class="left">[page 41]</span> + + + +<h4>THE BROOK THAT RAN BY GRAMFER'S.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When snow-white clouds wer thin an' vew</p> + <p>Avore the zummer sky o' blue,</p> + <p>An' I'd noo ho but how to vind</p> + <p>Zome plaÿ to entertaïn my mind;</p> + <p>Along the water, as did wind</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' zedgy shoal an' hollow crook,</p> + <p class="i2">How I did ramble by the brook</p> + <p class="i2">That ran all down vrom gramfer's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A-holdèn out my line beyond</p> + <p>The clote-leaves, wi' my withy wand,</p> + <p>How I did watch, wi' eager look,</p> + <p>My zwimmèn cork, a-zunk or shook</p> + <p>By minnows nibblèn at my hook,</p> + <p class="i2">A-thinkèn I should catch a breäce</p> + <p class="i2">O' perch, or at the leäst some deäce,</p> + <p class="i2">A-zwimmèn down vrom gramfer's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Then ten good deäries wer a-ved</p> + <p>Along that water's windèn bed,</p> + <p>An' in the lewth o' hills an' wood</p> + <p>A half a score farm-housen stood:</p> + <p>But now,—count all o'm how you would,</p> + <p class="i2">So many less do hold the land,—</p> + <p class="i2">You'd vind but vive that still do stand,</p> + <p class="i2">A-comèn down vrom gramfer's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There, in the midst ov all his land,</p> + <p>The squier's ten-tunn'd house did stand,</p> + <p>Where he did meäke the water clim'</p> + <p>A bank, an' sparkle under dim</p> + <p>Bridge arches, villèn to the brim</p> + <p class="i2">His pon', an' leäpèn, white as snow,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom rocks a-glitt'rèn in a bow,</p> + <p class="i2">An' runnèn down to gramfer's.</p></div> + +<a name="page42" id="page42"></a><span class="left">[page 42]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' now woone wing is all you'd vind</p> + <p>O' thik girt house a-left behind;</p> + <p>An' only woone wold stwonen tun</p> + <p>'S a-stannèn to the raïn an' zun,—</p> + <p>An' all's undone that he'd a-done;</p> + <p class="i2">The brook ha' now noo call to staÿ</p> + <p class="i2">To vill his pon' or clim' his baÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">A-runnèn down to gramfer's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When woonce, in heavy raïn, the road</p> + <p>At Grenley bridge wer overflow'd,</p> + <p>Poor Sophy White, the pleäces pride,</p> + <p>A-gwaïn vrom market, went to ride</p> + <p>Her pony droo to tother zide;</p> + <p class="i2">But vound the strëam so deep an' strong,</p> + <p class="i2">That took her off the road along</p> + <p class="i2">The hollow down to gramfer's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Twer dark, an' she went on too vast</p> + <p>To catch hold any thing she pass'd;</p> + <p>Noo bough hung over to her hand,</p> + <p>An' she could reach noo stwone nor land,</p> + <p>Where woonce her little voot could stand;</p> + <p class="i2">Noo ears wer out to hear her cries,</p> + <p class="i2">Nor wer she woonce a-zeen by eyes,</p> + <p class="i2">Till took up dead at gramfer's.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p42" id="p42"></a> + +<h4>SLEEP DID COME WI' THE DEW.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O when our zun's a-zinkèn low,</p> + <p>How soft's the light his feäce do drow</p> + <p>Upon the backward road our mind</p> + <p>Do turn an' zee a-left behind;</p> + <p>When we, in childhood's days did vind</p> + <p>Our jaÿ among the gil'cup flow'rs,</p> + <p>All drough the zummer's zunny hours;</p> + <p class="i2">An' sleep did come wi' the dew.</p></div> + +<a name="page43" id="page43"></a><span class="left">[page 43]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' afterwards, when we did zweat</p> + <p>A tweilèn in the zummer het,</p> + <p>An' when our daily work wer done</p> + <p>Did meet to have our evenèn fun:</p> + <p>Till up above the zettèn zun</p> + <p>The sky wer blushèn in the west,</p> + <p>An' we laid down in peace to rest,</p> + <p class="i2">An' sleep did come wi' the dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! zome do turn—but tidden right—</p> + <p>The night to day, an' day to night;</p> + <p>But we do zee the vu'st red streak</p> + <p>O' mornèn, when the day do break;</p> + <p>Zoo we don't grow up peäle an' weak,</p> + <p>But we do work wi' health an' strength,</p> + <p>Vrom mornèn drough the whole day's length,</p> + <p class="i2">An' sleep do come wi' the dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when, at last, our e'thly light</p> + <p>Is jist a-drawèn in to night,</p> + <p>We mid be sure that God above,</p> + <p>If we be true when he do prove</p> + <p>Our stedvast faïth an' thankvul love,</p> + <p>Wull do vor us what mid be best,</p> + <p>An' teäke us into endless rest,</p> + <p class="i2">As sleep do come wi' the dew.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p43" id="p43"></a> + +<h4>SWEET MUSIC IN THE WIND.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When evenèn is a-drawèn in,</p> + <p>I'll steal vrom others' naïsy din;</p> + <p>An' where the whirlèn brook do roll</p> + <p>Below the walnut-tree, I'll stroll</p> + <p>An' think o' thee wi' all my soul,</p> + <p>Dear Jenny; while the sound o' bells</p> + <p>Do vlee along wi' mwoansome zwells,</p> + <p class="i2">Sweet music in the wind!</p></div> + +<a name="page44" id="page44"></a><span class="left">[page 44]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>I'll think how in the rushy leäze</p> + <p>O' zunny evenèns jis' lik' theäse,</p> + <p>In happy times I us'd to zee</p> + <p>Thy comely sheäpe about the tree,</p> + <p>Wi' païl a-held avore thy knee;</p> + <p>An' lissen'd to thy merry zong</p> + <p>That at a distance come along,</p> + <p class="i2">Sweet music in the wind!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when wi' me you walk'd about</p> + <p>O' Zundays, after church wer out.</p> + <p>Wi' hangèn eärm an' modest look;</p> + <p>Or zittèn in some woody nook</p> + <p>We lissen'd to the leaves that shook</p> + <p>Upon the poplars straïght an' tall,</p> + <p>Or rottle o' the watervall,</p> + <p class="i2">Sweet music in the wind!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the plaÿvul aïr do vlee,</p> + <p>O' moonlight nights, vrom tree to tree,</p> + <p>Or whirl upon the sheäkèn grass,</p> + <p>Or rottle at my window glass:</p> + <p>Do seem,—as I do hear it pass,—</p> + <p>As if thy vaïce did come to tell</p> + <p>Me where thy happy soul do dwell,</p> + <p class="i2">Sweet music in the wind!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p44" id="p44"></a> + +<h4>UNCLE AN' AUNT.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>How happy uncle us'd to be</p> + <p>O' zummer time, when aunt an' he</p> + <p>O' Zunday evenèns, eärm in eärm,</p> + <p>Did walk about their tiny farm,</p> + <p>While birds did zing an' gnats did zwarm,</p> + <p>Drough grass a'most above their knees,</p> + <p>An' roun' by hedges an' by trees</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' leafy boughs a-swaÿèn.</p></div> + +<a name="page45" id="page45"></a><span class="left">[page 45]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>His hat wer broad, his cwoat wer brown,</p> + <p>Wi' two long flaps a-hangèn down;</p> + <p>An' vrom his knee went down a blue</p> + <p>Knit stockèn to his buckled shoe;</p> + <p>An' aunt did pull her gown-taïl drough</p> + <p>Her pocket-hole, to keep en neat,</p> + <p>As she mid walk, or teäke a seat</p> + <p class="i2">By leafy boughs a-zwaÿèn.</p></div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>An' vu'st they'd goo to zee their lots</p> + <p>O' pot-eärbs in the geärden plots;</p> + <p>An' he, i'-may-be, by the hatch,</p> + <p>Would zee aunt's vowls upon a patch</p> + <p>O' zeeds, an' vow if he could catch</p> + <p>Em wi' his gun, they shoudden vlee</p> + <p>Noo mwore into their roostèn tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' leafy boughs a-swaÿèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then vrom geärden they did pass</p> + <p>Drough orcha'd out to zee the grass,</p> + <p>An' if the apple-blooth, so white,</p> + <p>Mid be at all a-touch'd wi' blight;</p> + <p>An' uncle, happy at the zight,</p> + <p>Did guess what cider there mid be</p> + <p>In all the orcha'd, tree wi' tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' tutties all a-swaÿèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then they stump'd along vrom there</p> + <p>A-vield, to zee the cows an' meäre;</p> + <p>An' she, when uncle come in zight,</p> + <p>Look'd up, an' prick'd her ears upright,</p> + <p>An' whicker'd out wi' all her might;</p> + <p>An' he, a-chucklèn, went to zee</p> + <p>The cows below the sheädy tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' leafy boughs a-swaÿen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' last ov all, they went to know</p> + <p>How vast the grass in meäd did grow</p><a name="page46" id="page46"></a><span class="left">[page 46]</span> + <p>An' then aunt zaid 'twer time to goo</p> + <p>In hwome,—a-holdèn up her shoe,</p> + <p>To show how wet he wer wi' dew.</p> + <p>An' zoo they toddled hwome to rest,</p> + <p>Lik' doves a-vleèn to their nest</p> + <p class="i2">In leafy boughs a-swaÿen.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p46" id="p46"></a> + +<h4>HAVEN WOONES FORTUNE A-TWOLD.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>In leäne the gipsies, as we went</p> + <p>A-milkèn, had a-pitch'd their tent,</p> + <p>Between the gravel-pit an' clump</p> + <p>O' trees, upon the little hump:</p> + <p>An' while upon the grassy groun'</p> + <p class="i2">Their smokèn vire did crack an' bleäze,</p> + <p class="i2">Their shaggy-cwoated hoss did greäze</p> + <p>Among the bushes vurder down.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zoo, when we brought back our païls,</p> + <p>The woman met us at the raïls,</p> + <p>An' zaid she'd tell us, if we'd show</p> + <p>Our han's, what we should like to know.</p> + <p>Zoo Poll zaid she'd a mind to try</p> + <p class="i2">Her skill a bit, if I would vu'st;</p> + <p class="i2">Though, to be sure, she didden trust</p> + <p>To gipsies any mwore than I.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Well; I agreed, an' off all dree</p> + <p>O's went behind an elem tree,</p> + <p>An' after she'd a-zeed 'ithin</p> + <p>My han' the wrinkles o' the skin,</p> + <p>She twold me—an' she must a-know'd</p> + <p class="i2">That Dicky met me in the leäne,—</p> + <p class="i2">That I'd a-walk'd, an' should ageän,</p> + <p>Wi' zomebody along thik road.</p></div> + +<a name="page47" id="page47"></a><span class="left">[page 47]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then she twold me to bewar</p> + <p>O' what the letter <i>M</i> stood vor.</p> + <p>An' as I walk'd, o' <i>M</i>onday night,</p> + <p>Drough <i>M</i>eäd wi' Dicky overright</p> + <p>The <i>M</i>ill, the <i>M</i>iller, at the stile,</p> + <p class="i2">Did stan' an' watch us teäke our stroll,</p> + <p class="i2">An' then, a blabbèn dousty-poll!</p> + <p>Twold <i>M</i>other o't. Well wo'th his while!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Poll too wer a-bid bewar</p> + <p>O' what the letter <i>F</i> stood vor;</p> + <p>An' then, because she took, at <i>F</i>eäir,</p> + <p>A bosom-pin o' Jimmy Heäre,</p> + <p>Young <i>F</i>ranky beät en black an' blue.</p> + <p class="i2">'Tis <i>F</i> vor <i>F</i>eäir; an' 'twer about</p> + <p class="i2">A <i>F</i>earèn <i>F</i>rank an' Jimmy foüght,</p> + <p>Zoo I do think she twold us true.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>In short, she twold us all about</p> + <p>What had a-vell, or would vall out;</p> + <p>An' whether we should spend our lives</p> + <p>As maïdens, or as wedded wives;</p> + <p>But when we went to bundle on,</p> + <p class="i2">The gipsies' dog were at the raïls</p> + <p class="i2">A-lappèn milk vrom ouer païls,—</p> + <p>A pretty deäl o' Poll's wer gone.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p47" id="p47"></a> + +<h4>JEANE'S WEDDEN DAY IN MORNEN.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At last Jeäne come down stairs, a-drest</p> +<p>Wi' weddèn knots upon her breast,</p> +<p>A-blushèn, while a tear did lie</p> +<p>Upon her burnèn cheäk half dry;</p> +<p>An' then her Robert, drawèn nigh</p> +<p>Wi' tothers, took her han' wi' pride,</p> +<p>To meäke her at the church his bride,</p> + <p class="i2">Her weddèn day in mornèn.</p></div> + +<a name="page48" id="page48"></a><span class="left">[page 48]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Wi' litty voot an' beätèn heart</p> +<p>She stepp'd up in the new light cart,</p> +<p>An' took her bridemaïd up to ride</p> +<p>Along wi' Robert at her zide:</p> +<p>An' uncle's meäre look'd roun' wi' pride</p> +<p>To zee that, if the cart wer vull,</p> +<p>'Twer Jenny that he had to pull,</p> + <p class="i2">Her weddèn day in mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' aunt an' uncle stood stock-still,</p> +<p>An' watch'd em trottèn down the hill;</p> +<p>An' when they turn'd off out o' groun'</p> +<p>Down into leäne, two tears run down</p> +<p>Aunt's feäce; an' uncle, turnèn roun',</p> +<p>Sigh'd woonce, an' stump'd off wi' his stick,</p> +<p>Because did touch en to the quick</p> + <p class="i2">To peärt wi' Jeäne thik mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Now Jeäne's agone," Tom mutter'd, "we</p> +<p>Shall mwope lik' owls 'ithin a tree;</p> +<p>Vor she did zet us all agog</p> +<p>Vor fun, avore the burnèn log."</p> +<p>An' as he zot an' talk'd, the dog</p> +<p>Put up his nose athirt his thighs,</p> +<p>But coulden meäke en turn his eyes,</p> + <p class="i2">Jeäne's weddèn day in mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the naïghbours round us, all</p> +<p>By woones an' twos begun to call,</p> +<p>To meet the young vo'k, when the meäre</p> +<p>Mid bring em back a married peäir:</p> +<p>An' all o'm zaid, to Robert's sheäre,</p> +<p>There had a-vell the feärest feäce,</p> +<p>An' kindest heart in all the pleäce,</p> + <p class="i2">Jeäne's weddèn day in mornèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page49" id="page49"></a><span class="left">[page 49]</span> + + +<h4>RIVERS DON'T GI'E OUT.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The brook I left below the rank</p> + <p>Ov alders that do sheäde his bank,</p> + <p>A-runnèn down to dreve the mill</p> + <p>Below the knap, 's a runnèn still;</p> + <p>The creepèn days an' weeks do vill</p> + <p class="i2">Up years, an' meäke wold things o' new,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vok' do come, an' live, an' goo,</p> + <p class="i2">But rivers don't gi'e out, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The leaves that in the spring do shoot</p> + <p>Zo green, in fall be under voot;</p> + <p>Maÿ flow'rs do grow vor June to burn,</p> + <p>An' milk-white blooth o' trees do kern,</p> + <p>An' ripen on, an' vall in turn;</p> + <p class="i2">The miller's moss-green wheel mid rot,</p> + <p class="i2">An' he mid die an' be vorgot,</p> + <p class="i2">But rivers don't gi'e out, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A vew short years do bring an' rear</p> + <p>A maïd—as Jeäne wer—young an' feäir,</p> + <p>An' vewer zummer-ribbons, tied</p> + <p>In Zunday knots, do feäde bezide</p> + <p>Her cheäk avore her bloom ha' died:</p> + <p class="i2">Her youth won't staÿ,—her rwosy look</p> + <p class="i2">'S a feädèn flow'r, but time's a brook</p> + <p class="i2">To run an' not gi'e out, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' yet, while things do come an' goo,</p> + <p>God's love is steadvast, John, an' true;</p> + <p>If winter vrost do chill the ground,</p> + <p>'Tis but to bring the zummer round,</p> + <p>All's well a-lost where He's a-vound,</p><a name="page50" id="page50"></a><span class="left">[page 50]</span> + <p class="i2">Vor if 'tis right, vor Christes seäke</p> + <p class="i2">He'll gi'e us mwore than he do teäke,—</p> + <p class="i2">His goodness don't gi'e out, John.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p50" id="p50"></a> + +<h4>MEAKEN UP A MIFF.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vorgi'e me, Jenny, do! an' rise</p> + <p>Thy hangèn head an' teary eyes,</p> + <p>An' speak, vor I've a-took in lies,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I've a-done thee wrong;</p> + <p>But I wer twold,—an' thought 'twer true,—</p> + <p>That Sammy down at Coome an' you</p> + <p>Wer at the feäir, a-walkèn drough</p> + <p class="i2">The pleäce the whole day long.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' tender thoughts did melt my heart,</p> + <p>An' zwells o' viry pride did dart</p> + <p>Lik' lightnèn drough my blood; a-peärt</p> + <p class="i2">Ov your love I should scorn,</p> + <p>An' zoo I vow'd, however sweet</p> + <p>Your looks mid be when we did meet,</p> + <p>I'd trample ye down under veet,</p> + <p class="i2">Or let ye goo forlorn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But still thy neäme would always be</p> + <p>The sweetest, an' my eyes would zee</p> + <p>Among all maïdens nwone lik' thee</p> + <p class="i2">Vor ever any mwore;</p> + <p>Zoo by the walks that we've a-took</p> + <p>By flow'ry hedge an' zedgy brook,</p> + <p>Dear Jenny, dry your eyes, an' look</p> + <p class="i2">As you've a-look'd avore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Look up, an' let the evenèn light</p> + <p>But sparkle in thy eyes so bright,</p> + <p>As they be open to the light</p> +<a name="page51" id="page51"></a><span class="left">[page 51]</span> + <p class="i2">O' zunzet in the west;</p> + <p>An' let's stroll here vor half an hour,</p> + <p>Where hangèn boughs do meäke a bow'r</p> + <p>Above theäse bank, wi' eltrot flow'r</p> + <p class="i2">An' robinhoods a-drest.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p51" id="p51"></a> + +<h4>HAY-MEAKEN.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis merry ov a zummer's day,</p> +<p>Where vo'k be out a-meäkèn haÿ;</p> +<p>Where men an' women, in a string,</p> +<p>Do ted or turn the grass, an' zing,</p> +<p>Wi' cheemèn vaïces, merry zongs,</p> +<p>A-tossèn o' their sheenèn prongs</p> +<p>Wi' eärms a-zwangèn left an' right,</p> +<p>In colour'd gowns an' shirtsleeves white;</p> +<p>Or, wider spread, a reäkèn round</p> +<p>The rwosy hedges o' the ground,</p> +<p>Where Sam do zee the speckled sneäke,</p> +<p>An' try to kill en wi' his reäke;</p> +<p>An' Poll do jump about an' squall,</p> +<p>To zee the twistèn slooworm crawl.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis merry where a gaÿ-tongued lot</p> +<p>Ov haÿ-meäkers be all a-squot,</p> +<p>On lightly-russlèn haÿ, a-spread</p> +<p>Below an elem's lofty head,</p> +<p>To rest their weary limbs an' munch</p> +<p>Their bit o' dinner, or their nunch;</p> +<p>Where teethy reäkes do lie all round</p> +<p>By picks a-stuck up into ground.</p> +<p>An' wi' their vittles in their laps,</p> +<p>An' in their hornen cups their draps</p> +<p>O' cider sweet, or frothy eäle,</p> +<p>Their tongues do run wi' joke an' teäle.</p></div> + +<a name="page52" id="page52"></a><span class="left">[page 52]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the zun, so low an' red,</p> +<p>Do sheen above the leafy head</p> +<p>O' zome broad tree, a-rizèn high</p> +<p>Avore the vi'ry western sky,</p> +<p>'Tis merry where all han's do goo</p> +<p>Athirt the groun', by two an' two,</p> +<p>A-reäkèn, over humps an' hollors,</p> +<p>The russlèn grass up into rollers.</p> +<p>An' woone do row it into line,</p> +<p>An' woone do clwose it up behine;</p> +<p>An' after them the little bwoys</p> +<p>Do stride an' fling their eärms all woys,</p> +<p>Wi' busy picks, an' proud young looks</p> +<p>A-meäkèn up their tiny pooks.</p> +<p>An' zoo 'tis merry out among</p> +<p>The vo'k in haÿ-vield all day long.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p52" id="p52"></a> + +<h4>HAY-CARREN.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis merry ov a zummer's day,</p> +<p>When vo'k be out a-haulèn haÿ,</p> +<p>Where boughs, a-spread upon the ground,</p> +<p>Do meäke the staddle big an' round;</p> +<p>An' grass do stand in pook, or lie</p> +<p>In long-back'd weäles or parsels, dry.</p> +<p>There I do vind it stir my heart</p> +<p>To hear the frothèn hosses snort,</p> +<p>A-haulèn on, wi' sleek heäir'd hides,</p> +<p>The red-wheel'd waggon's deep-blue zides.</p> +<p>Aye; let me have woone cup o' drink,</p> +<p>An' hear the linky harness clink,</p> +<p>An' then my blood do run so warm,</p> +<p>An' put sich strangth 'ithin my eärm,</p> +<p>That I do long to toss a pick,</p> +<p>A-pitchèn or a-meäkèn rick.</p></div> + +<a name="page53" id="page53"></a><span class="left">[page 53]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The bwoy is at the hosse's head,</p> +<p>An' up upon the waggon bed</p> +<p>The lwoaders, strong o' eärm do stan',</p> +<p>At head, an' back at taïl, a man,</p> +<p>Wi' skill to build the lwoad upright</p> +<p>An' bind the vwolded corners tight;</p> +<p>An' at each zide ō'm, sprack an' strong,</p> +<p>A pitcher wi' his long-stem'd prong,</p> +<p>Avore the best two women now</p> +<p>A-call'd to reäky after plough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When I do pitchy, 'tis my pride</p> +<p>Vor Jenny Hine to reäke my zide,</p> +<p>An' zee her fling her reäke, an' reach</p> +<p>So vur, an' teäke in sich a streech;</p> +<p>An' I don't shatter haÿ, an' meäke</p> +<p>Mwore work than needs vor Jenny's reäke.</p> +<p>I'd sooner zee the weäles' high rows</p> +<p>Lik' hedges up above my nose,</p> +<p>Than have light work myzelf, an' vind</p> +<p>Poor Jeäne a-beät an' left behind;</p> +<p>Vor she would sooner drop down dead.</p> +<p>Than let the pitchers get a-head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis merry at the rick to zee</p> +<p>How picks do wag, an' haÿ do vlee.</p> +<p>While woone's unlwoadèn, woone do teäke</p> +<p>The pitches in; an' zome do meäke</p> +<p>The lofty rick upright an' roun',</p> +<p>An' tread en hard, an' reäke en down,</p> +<p>An' tip en, when the zun do zet,</p> +<p>To shoot a sudden vall o' wet.</p> +<p>An' zoo 'tis merry any day</p> +<p>Where vo'k be out a-carrèn hay.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + + +<a name="page54" id="page54"></a><span class="left">[page 54]</span> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2> + +<h3>THE BEST MAN IN THE VIELD.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Sam and Bob.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>That's slowish work, Bob. What'st a-been about?</p> +<p>Thy pookèn don't goo on not over sprack.</p> +<p>Why I've a-pook'd my weäle, lo'k zee, clear out,</p> +<p>An' here I be ageän a-turnèn back.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'll work wi' thee then, Sammy, any day,</p> +<p>At any work dost like to teäke me at,</p> +<p>Vor any money thou dost like to lay.</p> +<p>Now, Mister Sammy, what dost think o' that?</p> +<p>My weäle is nearly twice so big as thine,</p> +<p>Or else, I warnt, I shouldden be behin'.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! hang thee, Bob! don't tell sich whoppèn lies.</p> +<p><i>My</i> weäle's the biggest, if do come to size.</p> +<p>'Tis jist the seäme whatever bist about;</p> +<p>Why, when dost goo a-teddèn grass, you sloth,</p> +<p>Another hand's a-fwo'c'd to teäke thy zwath,</p> +<p>An' ted a half way back to help thee out;</p> +<p>An' then a-reäkèn rollers, bist so slack,</p> +<p>Dost keep the very bwoys an' women back.</p> +<p>An' if dost think that thou canst challenge I</p> +<p>At any thing,—then, Bob, we'll teäke a pick a-piece,</p> +<p>An' woonce theäse zummer, goo an' try</p> +<p>To meäke a rick a-piece.</p><a name="page55" id="page55"></a><span class="left">[page 55]</span> +<p>A rick o' thine wull look a little funny,</p> +<p>When thou'st a-done en, I'll bet any money.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You noggerhead! last year thou meäd'st a rick,</p> +<p>An' then we had to trig en wi' a stick.</p> +<p>An' what did John that tipp'd en zay? Why zaid</p> +<p>He stood a-top o'en all the while in dread,</p> +<p>A-thinkèn that avore he should a-done en</p> +<p>He'd tumble over slap wi' him upon en.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You yoppèn dog! I warnt I meäde my rick</p> +<p>So well's thou meäd'st thy lwoad o' haÿ last week.</p> +<p>They hadden got a hundred yards to haul en,</p> +<p>An' then they vound 'twer best to have en boun',</p> +<p>Vor if they hadden, 'twould a-tumbl'd down;</p> +<p>An' after that I zeed en all but vallèn,</p> +<p>An' trigg'd en up wi' woone o'm's pitchèn pick,</p> +<p>To zee if I could meäke en ride to rick;</p> +<p>An' when they had the dumpy heap unboun',</p> +<p>He vell to pieces flat upon the groun'.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Do shut thy lyèn chops! What dosten mind</p> +<p>Thy pitchèn to me out in Gully-plot,</p> +<p>A-meäkèn o' me waït (wast zoo behind)</p> +<p>A half an hour vor ev'ry pitch I got?</p> +<p>An' how didst groun' thy pick? an' how didst quirk</p> +<p>To get en up on end? Why hadst hard work</p> +<p>To rise a pitch that wer about so big</p> +<p>'S a goodish crow's nest, or a wold man's wig!</p> +<p>Why bist so weak, dost know, as any roller:</p> +<p>Zome o' the women vo'k will beät thee hollor.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page56" id="page56"></a><span class="left">[page 56]</span> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You snub-nos'd flopperchops! I pitch'd so quick,</p> +<p>That thou dost know thou hadst a hardish job</p> +<p>To teäke in all the pitches off my pick;</p> +<p>An' dissèn zee me groun' en, nother, Bob.</p> +<p>An' thou bist stronger, thou dost think, than I?</p> +<p>Girt bandy-lags! I jist should like to try.</p> +<p>We'll goo, if thou dost like, an' jist zee which</p> +<p>Can heave the mwost, or car the biggest nitch.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, Sam, do meäke me zick to hear thy braggèn!</p> +<p>Why bissen strong enough to car a flagon.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You grinnèn fool! why I'd zet thee a-blowèn,</p> +<p>If thou wast wi' me vor a day a-mowèn.</p> +<p>I'd wear my cwoat, an' thou midst pull thy rags off,</p> +<p>An' then in half a zwath I'd mow thy lags off.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Thee mow wi' me! Why coossen keep up wi' me:</p> +<p>Why bissèn fit to goo a-vield to skimmy,</p> +<p>Or mow down docks an' thistles! Why I'll bet</p> +<p>A shillèn, Samel, that thou cassen whet.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now don't thee zay much mwore than what'st a-zaid,</p> +<p>Or else I'll knock thee down, heels over head.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Thou knock me down, indeed! Why cassen gi'e</p> +<p>A blow half hard enough to kill a bee.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, thou shalt veel upon thy chops and snout.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>BOB.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come on, then, Samel; jist let's have woone bout.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page57" id="page57"></a><span class="left">[page 57]</span> + +<h4>WHERE WE DID KEEP OUR FLAGON.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When we in mornèn had a-drow'd</p> + <p>The grass or russlèn haÿ abrode,</p> + <p>The lit'some maïdens an' the chaps,</p> + <p>Wi' bits o' nunchèns in their laps,</p> + <p>Did all zit down upon the knaps</p> + <p class="i2">Up there, in under hedge, below</p> + <p class="i2">The highest elem o' the row,</p> + <p class="i4">Where we did keep our flagon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There we could zee green vields at hand,</p> + <p>Avore a hunderd on beyand,</p> + <p>An' rows o' trees in hedges roun'</p> + <p>Green meäds, an' zummerleäzes brown,</p> + <p>An' thorns upon the zunny down,</p> + <p class="i2">While aïer, vrom the rockèn zedge</p> + <p class="i2">In brook, did come along the hedge,</p> + <p class="i4">Where we did keep our flagon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There laughèn chaps did try in plaÿ</p> + <p>To bury maïdens up in haÿ,</p> + <p>As gigglèn maïdens tried to roll</p> + <p>The chaps down into zome deep hole,</p> + <p>Or sting wi' nettles woone o'm's poll;</p> + <p class="i2">While John did hele out each his drap</p> + <p class="i2">O' eäle or cider, in his lap</p> + <p class="i4">Where he did keep the flagon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Woone day there spun a whirlwind by</p> + <p>Where Jenny's clothes wer out to dry;</p> + <p>An' off vled frocks, a'most a-catch'd</p> + <p>By smock-frocks wi' their sleeves outstratch'd,</p> + <p>An' caps a-frill'd an' eäperns patch'd;</p><a name="page58" id="page58"></a><span class="left">[page 58]</span> + <p class="i2">An' she a-steärèn in a fright,</p> + <p class="i2">Wer glad enough to zee em light</p> + <p class="i4">Where we did keep our flagon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when white clover wer a-sprung</p> + <p>Among the eegrass, green an' young,</p> + <p>An' elder-flowers wer a-spread</p> + <p>Among the rwosen white an' red,</p> + <p>An' honeyzucks wi' hangèn head,—</p> + <p class="i2">O' Zunday evenèns we did zit</p> + <p class="i2">To look all roun' the grounds a bit,</p> + <p class="i4">Where we'd a-kept our flagon.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p58" id="p58"></a> + +<h4>WEEK'S END IN ZUMMER, IN THE WOLD VO'K'S TIME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>His aunt an' uncle,—ah! the kind</p> +<p>Wold souls be often in my mind:</p> +<p>A better couple never stood</p> +<p>In shoes, an' vew be voun' so good.</p> +<p><i>She</i> cheer'd the work-vo'k in theïr tweils</p> +<p>Wi' timely bits an' draps, an' smiles;</p> +<p>An' <i>he</i> païd all o'm at week's end,</p> +<p>Their money down to goo an' spend.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In zummer, when week's end come roun'</p> +<p>The haÿ-meäkers did come vrom groun',</p> +<p>An' all zit down, wi' weary bwones,</p> +<p>Within the yard a-peäved wi' stwones,</p> +<p>Along avore the peäles, between</p> +<p>The yard a-steän'd an' open green.</p> +<p>There women zot wi' bare-neck'd chaps,</p> +<p>An' maïdens wi' their sleeves an' flaps</p> +<p>To screen vrom het their eärms an' polls.</p> +<p>An' men wi' beards so black as coals:</p><a name="page59" id="page59"></a><span class="left">[page 59]</span> +<p>Girt stocky Jim, an' lanky John,</p> +<p>An' poor wold Betty dead an' gone;</p> +<p>An' cleän-grown Tom so spry an' strong,</p> +<p>An' Liz the best to pitch a zong,</p> +<p>That now ha' nearly half a score</p> +<p>O' childern zwarmèn at her door;</p> +<p>An' whindlen Ann, that cried wi' fear</p> +<p>To hear the thunder when 'twer near,—</p> +<p>A zickly maïd, so peäle's the moon,</p> +<p>That voun' her zun goo down at noon;</p> +<p>An' blushèn Jeäne so shy an' meek,</p> +<p>That seldom let us hear her speak,</p> +<p>That wer a-coorted an' undone</p> +<p>By Farmer Woodley's woldest son;</p> +<p>An' after she'd a-been vorzook,</p> +<p>Wer voun' a-drown'd in Longmeäd brook.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, when <i>he</i>'d a-been all roun',</p> +<p>An' païd em all their wages down,</p> +<p><i>She</i> us'd to bring vor all, by teäle</p> +<p>A cup o' cider or ov eäle,</p> +<p>An' then a tutty meäde o' lots</p> +<p>O' blossoms vrom her flower-nots,</p> +<p>To wear in bands an' button-holes</p> +<p>At church, an' in their evenèn strolls.</p> +<p>The pea that rangled to the oves,</p> +<p>An' columbines an' pinks an' cloves,</p> +<p>Sweet rwosen vrom the prickly tree,</p> +<p>An' jilliflow'rs, an' jessamy;</p> +<p>An' short-liv'd pinies, that do shed</p> +<p>Their leaves upon a eärly bed.</p> +<p>She didden put in honeyzuck:</p> +<p>She'd nwone, she zaïd, that she could pluck</p> +<p>Avore wild honeyzucks, a-vound</p> +<p>In ev'ry hedge ov ev'ry ground.</p></div> + +<a name="page60" id="page60"></a><span class="left">[page 60]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo maïd an' woman, bwoy an' man,</p> +<p>Went off, while zunzet aïr did fan</p> +<p>Their merry zunburnt feäzen; zome</p> +<p>Down leäne, an' zome drough parrocks hwome.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! who can tell, that ha'nt a-vound,</p> +<p>The sweets o' week's-end comèn round!</p> +<p>When Zadurday do bring woone's mind</p> +<p>The day that's all our own to spend</p> +<p>Wi' God an' wi' an e'thly friend.</p> +<p>The worold's girt vo'k, wi' the best</p> +<p>O' worldly goods mid be a-blest;</p> +<p>But Zunday is the poor man's peärt,</p> +<p>To seäve his soul an' cheer his heart.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p60" id="p60"></a> + +<h4>THE MEAD A-MOW'D.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When sheädes do vall into ev'ry hollow,</p> + <p class="i2">An' reach vrom trees half athirt the groun';</p> + <p>An' banks an' walls be a-lookèn yollow,</p> + <p class="i2">That be a-turn'd to the zun gwaïn down;</p> + <p class="i8">Drough haÿ in cock, O,</p> + <p class="i8">We all do vlock, O,</p> + <p class="i2">Along our road vrom the meäd a-mow'd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the last swaÿèn lwoad's a-started</p> + <p class="i2">Up hill so slow to the lofty rick,</p> + <p>Then we so weary but merry-hearted,</p> + <p class="i2">Do shoulder each ō's a reäke an' pick,</p> + <p class="i8">Wi' empty flagon,</p> + <p class="i8">Behind the waggon,</p> + <p class="i2">To teäke our road vrom the meäd a-mow'd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When church is out, an' we all so slowly</p> + <p class="i2">About the knap be a-spreadèn wide,</p><a name="page61" id="page61"></a><span class="left">[page 61]</span> + <p>How gaÿ the paths be where we do strolly</p> + <p class="i2">Along the leäne an' the hedge's zide;</p> + <p class="i8">But nwone's a voun', O,</p> + <p class="i8">Up hill or down, O,</p> + <p class="i2">So gaÿ's the road drough the meäd a-mow'd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the visher do come, a-drowèn</p> + <p class="i2">His flutt'ren line over bleädy zedge,</p> + <p>Drough groun's wi' red thissle-heads a-blowèn,</p> + <p class="i2">An' watchèn o't by the water's edge;</p> + <p class="i8">Then he do love, O,</p> + <p class="i8">The best to rove, O,</p> + <p class="i2">Along his road drough the meäd a-mow'd.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p61" id="p61"></a> + +<h4>THE SKY A-CLEAREN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The drevèn scud that overcast</p> + <p>The zummer sky is all a-past,</p> + <p>An' softer aïr, a-blowèn drough</p> + <p>The quiv'rèn boughs, do sheäke the vew</p> + <p>Last raïn drops off the leaves lik' dew;</p> + <p class="i2">An' peäviers, now a-gettèn dry,</p> + <p class="i2">Do steam below the zunny sky</p> + <p class="i4">That's now so vast a-cleärèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The sheädes that wer a-lost below</p> + <p>The stormy cloud, ageän do show</p> + <p>Their mockèn sheäpes below the light;</p> + <p>An' house-walls be a-lookèn white,</p> + <p>An' vo'k do stir woonce mwore in zight,</p> + <p class="i2">An' busy birds upon the wing</p> + <p class="i2">Do whiver roun' the boughs an' zing,</p> + <p class="i4">To zee the sky a-clearèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Below the hill's an ash; below</p> + <p>The ash, white elder-flow'rs do blow:</p><a name="page62" id="page62"></a><span class="left">[page 62]</span> + <p>Below the elder is a bed</p> + <p>O' robinhoods o' blushèn red;</p> + <p>An' there, wi' nunches all a-spread,</p> + <p class="i2">The haÿ-meäkers, wi' each a cup</p> + <p class="i2">O' drink, do smile to zee hold up</p> + <p class="i4">The raïn, an' sky a-cleärèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Mid blushèn maïdens, wi' their zong,</p> + <p>Still draw their white-stemm'd reäkes among</p> + <p>The long-back'd weäles an' new-meäde pooks,</p> + <p>By brown-stemm'd trees an' cloty brooks;</p> + <p>But have noo call to spweil their looks</p> + <p class="i2">By work, that God could never meäke</p> + <p class="i2">Their weaker han's to underteäke,</p> + <p class="i4">Though skies mid be a-cleärèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Tis wrong vor women's han's to clips</p> + <p>The zull an' reap-hook, speädes an' whips;</p> + <p>An' men abroad, should leäve, by right,</p> + <p>Woone faïthful heart at hwome to light</p> + <p>Their bit o' vier up at night,</p> + <p class="i2">An' hang upon the hedge to dry</p> + <p class="i2">Their snow-white linen, when the sky</p> + <p class="i4">In winter is a-cleärèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p62" id="p62"></a> + +<h4>THE EVENÈN STAR O' ZUMMER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When vu'st along theäse road vrom mill,</p> + <p>I zeed ye hwome all up the hill,</p> + <p>The poplar tree, so straïght an' tall,</p> + <p>Did rustle by the watervall;</p> + <p>An' in the leäze the cows wer all</p> + <p class="i2">A-lyèn down to teäke their rest</p> + <p class="i2">An' slowly zunk towárd the west</p> + <p class="i4">The evenèn star o' zummer.</p></div> + +<a name="page63" id="page63"></a><span class="left">[page 63]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>In parrock there the haÿ did lie</p> + <p>In weäle below the elems, dry;</p> + <p>An' up in hwome-groun' Jim, that know'd</p> + <p>We all should come along thik road,</p> + <p>D a-tied the grass in knots that drow'd</p> + <p class="i2">Poor Poll, a-watchèn in the West</p> + <p class="i2">Woone brighter star than all the rest,—</p> + <p class="i4">The evenèn star o' zummer.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The stars that still do zet an' rise,</p> + <p>Did sheen in our forefather's eyes;</p> + <p>They glitter'd to the vu'st men's zight,</p> + <p>The last will have em in their night;</p> + <p>But who can vind em half so bright</p> + <p class="i2">As I thought thik peäle star above</p> + <p class="i2">My smilèn Jeäne, my zweet vu'st love,</p> + <p class="i4">The evenèn star o' zummer.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>How sweet's the mornèn fresh an' new,</p> + <p>Wi' sparklèn brooks an' glitt'rèn dew;</p> + <p>How sweet's the noon wi' sheädes a-drow'd</p> + <p>Upon the groun' but leätely mow'd,</p> + <p>An' bloomèn flowers all abrode;</p> + <p class="i2">But sweeter still, as I do clim',</p> + <p class="i2">Theäse woody hill in evenèn dim</p> + <p class="i4">'S the evenèn star o' zummer.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p63" id="p63"></a> + +<h4>THE CLOTE.</h4> + +<h4><i>(Water-lily.)</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O zummer clote! when the brook's a-glidèn</p> + <p class="i2">So slow an' smooth down his zedgy bed,</p> + <p>Upon thy broad leaves so seäfe a-ridèn</p> + <p class="i2">The water's top wi' thy yollow head,</p> + <p class="i6">By alder's heads, O,</p> + <p class="i6">An' bulrush beds, O.</p> + <p>Thou then dost float, goolden zummer clote!</p></div> + +<a name="page64" id="page64"></a><span class="left">[page 64]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The grey-bough'd withy's a-leänèn lowly</p> + <p class="i2">Above the water thy leaves do hide;</p> + <p>The bendèn bulrush, a-swaÿèn slowly,</p> + <p class="i2">Do skirt in zummer thy river's zide;</p> + <p class="i6">An' perch in shoals, O,</p> + <p class="i6">Do vill the holes, O,</p> + <p>Where thou dost float, goolden zummer clote!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! when thy brook-drinkèn flow'r's a-blowèn,</p> + <p class="i2">The burnèn zummer's a-zettèn in;</p> + <p>The time o' greenness, the time o' mowèn,</p> + <p class="i2">When in the haÿ-vield, wi' zunburnt skin,</p> + <p class="i6">The vo'k do drink, O,</p> + <p class="i6">Upon the brink, O,</p> + <p>Where thou dost float, goolden zummer clote!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Wi' eärms a-spreadèn, an' cheäks a-blowèn,</p> + <p class="i2">How proud wer I when I vu'st could zwim</p> + <p>Athirt the pleäce where thou bist a-growèn,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' thy long more vrom the bottom dim;</p> + <p class="i6">While cows, knee-high, O,</p> + <p class="i6">In brook, wer nigh, O,</p> + <p>Where thou dost float, goolden zummer clote!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov all the brooks drough the meäds a-windèn,</p> + <p class="i2">Ov all the meäds by a river's brim,</p> + <p>There's nwone so feäir o' my own heart's vindèn,</p> + <p class="i2">As where the maïdens do zee thee swim,</p> + <p class="i6">An' stan' to teäke, O,</p> + <p class="i6">Wi' long-stemm'd reäke, O,</p> + <p>Thy flow'r afloat, goolden zummer clote!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page65" id="page65"></a><span class="left">[page 65]</span> + +<h4>I GOT TWO VIELDS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I got two vields, an' I don't ceäre</p> +<p>What squire mid have a bigger sheäre.</p> +<p>My little zummer-leäze do stratch</p> +<p>All down the hangèn, to a patch</p> +<p>O' meäd between a hedge an' rank</p> +<p>Ov elems, an' a river bank.</p> +<p>Where yollow clotes, in spreadèn beds</p> +<p>O' floatèn leaves, do lift their heads</p> +<p>By bendèn bulrushes an' zedge</p> +<p>A-swaÿèn at the water's edge,</p> +<p>Below the withy that do spread</p> +<p>Athirt the brook his grey-leav'd head.</p> +<p>An' eltrot flowers, milky white,</p> +<p>Do catch the slantèn evenèn light;</p> +<p>An' in the meäple boughs, along</p> +<p>The hedge, do ring the blackbird's zong;</p> +<p>Or in the day, a-vleèn drough</p> +<p>The leafy trees, the whoa'se gookoo</p> +<p>Do zing to mowers that do zet</p> +<p>Their zives on end, an' stan' to whet.</p> +<p>From my wold house among the trees</p> +<p>A leäne do goo along the leäze</p> +<p>O' yollow gravel, down between</p> +<p>Two mossy banks vor ever green.</p> +<p>An' trees, a-hangèn overhead,</p> +<p>Do hide a trinklèn gully-bed,</p> +<p>A-cover'd by a bridge vor hoss</p> +<p>Or man a-voot to come across.</p> +<p>Zoo wi' my hwomestead, I don't ceäre</p> +<p>What squire mid have a bigger sheäre!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page66" id="page66"></a><span class="left">[page 66]</span> + +<h4>POLLY BE-EN UPZIDES WI' TOM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! yesterday, d'ye know, I voun'</p> + <p>Tom Dumpy's cwoat an' smock-frock, down</p> + <p>Below the pollard out in groun';</p> + <p class="i4">An' zoo I slyly stole</p> + <p>An' took the smock-frock up, an' tack'd</p> + <p>The sleeves an' collar up, an' pack'd</p> + <p>Zome nice sharp stwones, all fresh a-crack'd</p> + <p class="i4">'Ithin each pocket-hole.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' in the evenèn, when he shut</p> + <p>Off work, an' come an' donn'd his cwoat,</p> + <p>Their edges gi'ed en sich a cut,</p> + <p class="i4">How we did stan' an' laugh!</p> + <p>An' when the smock-frock I'd a-zow'd</p> + <p>Kept back his head an' hands, he drow'd</p> + <p>Hizzelf about, an' teäv'd, an' blow'd,</p> + <p class="i4">Lik' any up-tied calf.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Then in a veag away he flung</p> + <p>His frock, an' after me he sprung,</p> + <p>An' mutter'd out sich dreats, an' wrung</p> + <p class="i4">His vist up sich a size!</p> + <p>But I, a-runnèn, turn'd an' drow'd</p> + <p>Some doust, a-pick'd up vrom the road,</p> + <p>Back at en wi' the wind, that blow'd</p> + <p class="i4">It right into his eyes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' he did blink, an' vow he'd catch</p> + <p>Me zomehow yet, an' be my match.</p> + <p>But I wer nearly down to hatch</p> + <p class="i4">Avore he got vur on;</p> + <p>An' up in chammer, nearly dead</p> + <p>Wi' runnèn, lik' a cat I vled,</p> + <p>An' out o' window put my head</p> + <p class="i4">To zee if he wer gone.</p></div> + +<a name="page67" id="page67"></a><span class="left">[page 67]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there he wer, a-prowlèn roun'</p> + <p>Upon the green; an' I look'd down</p> + <p>An' told en that I hoped he voun'</p> + <p class="i4">He mussen think to peck</p> + <p>Upon a body zoo, nor whip</p> + <p>The meäre to drow me off, nor tip</p> + <p>Me out o' cart ageän, nor slip</p> + <p class="i4">Cut hoss-heäir down my neck.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p67" id="p67"></a> + +<h4>BE'MI'STER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Sweet Be'mi'ster, that bist a-bound</p> +<p>By green an' woody hills all round,</p> +<p>Wi' hedges, reachèn up between</p> +<p>A thousan' vields o' zummer green,</p> +<p>Where elems' lofty heads do drow</p> +<p>Their sheädes vor haÿ-meakers below,</p> +<p>An' wild hedge-flow'rs do charm the souls</p> +<p>O' maïdens in their evenèn strolls.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When I o' Zunday nights wi' Jeäne</p> +<p>Do saunter drough a vield or leäne,</p> +<p>Where elder-blossoms be a-spread</p> +<p>Above the eltrot's milk-white head,</p> +<p>An' flow'rs o' blackberries do blow</p> +<p>Upon the brembles, white as snow,</p> +<p>To be outdone avore my zight</p> +<p>By Jeän's gaÿ frock o' dazzlèn white;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! then there's nothèn that's 'ithout</p> +<p>Thy hills that I do ho about,—</p> +<p>Noo bigger pleäce, noo gaÿer town,</p> +<p>Beyond thy sweet bells' dyèn soun',</p> +<p>As they do ring, or strike the hour,</p> +<p>At evenèn vrom thy wold red tow'r.</p> +<p>No: shelter still my head, an' keep</p> +<p>My bwones when I do vall asleep.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page68" id="page68"></a><span class="left">[page 68]</span> + +<h4>THATCHEN O' THE RICK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I wer out in meäd last week,</p> +<p>A-thatchèn o' my little rick,</p> +<p>There green young ee-grass, ankle-high,</p> +<p>Did sheen below the cloudless sky;</p> +<p>An' over hedge in tother groun',</p> +<p>Among the bennets dry an' brown,</p> +<p>My dun wold meäre, wi' neck a-freed</p> +<p>Vrom Zummer work, did snort an' veed;</p> +<p>An' in the sheäde o' leafy boughs,</p> +<p>My vew wold ragged-cwoated cows</p> +<p>Did rub their zides upon the raïls,</p> +<p>Or switch em wi' their heäiry taïls.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' as the mornèn zun rose high</p> +<p>Above my mossy roof clwose by,</p> +<p>The blue smoke curreled up between</p> +<p>The lofty trees o' feädèn green:</p> +<p>A zight that's touchèn when do show</p> +<p>A busy wife is down below,</p> +<p>A-workèn hard to cheer woone's tweil</p> +<p>Wi' her best feäre, an' better smile.</p> +<p>Mid women still in wedlock's yoke</p> +<p>Zend up, wi' love, their own blue smoke,</p> +<p>An' husbands vind their bwoards a-spread</p> +<p>By faïthvul hands when I be dead,</p> +<p>An' noo good men in ouer land</p> +<p>Think lightly o' the weddèn band.</p> +<p>True happiness do bide alwone</p> +<p>Wi' them that ha' their own he'th-stwone</p> +<p>To gather wi' their childern roun',</p> +<p>A-smilèn at the worold's frown.</p></div> + +<a name="page69" id="page69"></a><span class="left">[page 69]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My bwoys, that brought me thatch an' spars,</p> +<p>Wer down a-taïtèn on the bars,</p> +<p>Or zot a-cuttèn wi' a knife,</p> +<p>Dry eltrot-roots to meäke a fife;</p> +<p>Or drevèn woone another round</p> +<p>The rick upon the grassy ground.</p> +<p>An', as the aïer vrom the west</p> +<p>Did fan my burnèn feäce an' breast,</p> +<p>An' hoppèn birds, wi' twitt'rèn beaks,</p> +<p>Did show their sheenèn spots an' streaks,</p> +<p>Then, wi' my heart a-vill'd wi' love</p> +<p>An' thankvulness to God above,</p> +<p>I didden think ov anything</p> +<p>That I begrudg'd o' lord or king;</p> +<p>Vor I ha' round me, vur or near,</p> +<p>The mwost to love an' nwone to fear,</p> +<p>An' zoo can walk in any pleäce,</p> +<p>An' look the best man in the feäce.</p> +<p>What good do come to eächèn heads,</p> +<p>O' lièn down in silken beds?</p> +<p>Or what's a coach, if woone do pine</p> +<p>To zee woone's naïghbour's twice so fine?</p> +<p>Contentment is a constant feäst,</p> +<p>He's richest that do want the leäst.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p69" id="p69"></a> + +<h4>BEES A-ZWARMEN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Avore we went a-milkèn, vive</p> + <p>Or six o's here wer all alive</p> + <p>A-teäkèn bees that zwarm'd vrom hive;</p> + <p class="i2">An' we'd sich work to catch</p> + <p>The hummèn rogues, they led us sich</p> + <p>A dance all over hedge an' ditch;</p> + <p>An' then at last where should they pitch,</p> + <p class="i2">But up in uncle's thatch?</p></div> + +<a name="page70" id="page70"></a><span class="left">[page 70]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Dick rung a sheep-bell in his han';</p> + <p>Liz beät a cannister, an' Nan</p> + <p>Did bang the little fryèn-pan</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' thick an' thumpèn blows;</p> + <p>An' Tom went on, a-carrèn roun'</p> + <p>A bee-pot up upon his crown,</p> + <p>Wi' all his edge a-reachèn down</p> + <p class="i2">Avore his eyes an' nose.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' woone girt bee, wi' spitevul hum,</p> + <p>Stung Dicky's lip, an' meäde it come</p> + <p>All up amost so big's a plum;</p> + <p class="i2">An' zome, a-vleèn on,</p> + <p>Got all roun' Liz, an' meäde her hop</p> + <p>An' scream, a-twirlèn lik' a top,</p> + <p>An' spring away right backward, flop</p> + <p class="i2">Down into barken pon':</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Nan' gi'ed Tom a roguish twitch</p> + <p>Upon a bank, an' meäde en pitch</p> + <p>Right down, head-voremost, into ditch,—</p> + <p class="i2">Tom coulden zee a wink.</p> + <p>An' when the zwarm wer seäfe an' sound</p> + <p>In mother's bit o' bee-pot ground,</p> + <p>She meäde us up a treat all round</p> + <p class="i2">O' sillibub to drink.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p70" id="p70"></a> + +<h4>READEN OV A HEAD-STWONE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>As I wer readèn ov a stwone</p> + <p>In Grenley church-yard all alwone,</p> + <p>A little maïd ran up, wi' pride</p> + <p>To zee me there, an' push'd a-zide</p> + <p>A bunch o' bennets that did hide</p> + <p class="i2">A verse her father, as she zaïd,</p> + <p class="i2">Put up above her mother's head,</p> + <p class="i4">To tell how much he loved her:</p></div> + +<a name="page71" id="page71"></a><span class="left">[page 71]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The verse wer short, but very good,</p> + <p>I stood an' larn'd en where I stood:—</p> + <p>"Mid God, dear Meäry, gi'e me greäce</p> + <p>To vind, lik' thee, a better pleäce,</p> + <p>Where I woonce mwore mid zee thy feäce;</p> + <p class="i2">An' bring thy childern up to know</p> + <p class="i2">His word, that they mid come an' show</p> + <p class="i4">Thy soul how much I lov'd thee."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>"Where's father, then," I zaid, "my chile?"</p> + <p>"Dead too," she answer'd wi' a smile;</p> + <p>"An' I an' brother Jim do bide</p> + <p>At Betty White's, o' tother zide</p> + <p>O' road." "Mid He, my chile," I cried,</p> + <p class="i2">"That's father to the fatherless,</p> + <p class="i2">Become thy father now, an' bless,</p> + <p class="i4">An' keep, an' leäd, an' love thee."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Though she've a-lost, I thought, so much,</p> + <p>Still He don't let the thoughts o't touch</p> + <p>Her litsome heart by day or night;</p> + <p>An' zoo, if we could teäke it right,</p> + <p>Do show He'll meäke his burdens light</p> + <p class="i2">To weaker souls, an' that his smile</p> + <p class="i2">Is sweet upon a harmless chile,</p> + <p class="i4">When they be dead that lov'd it.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p71" id="p71"></a> + +<h4>ZUMMER EVENÈN DANCE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come out to the parrock, come out to the tree,</p> +<p>The maïdens an' chaps be a-waïtèn vor thee;</p> +<p>There's Jim wi' his fiddle to plaÿ us some reels,</p> +<p>Come out along wi' us, an' fling up thy heels.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, all the long grass is a-mow'd an' a-carr'd,</p> +<p>An' the turf is so smooth as a bwoard an' so hard;</p><a name="page72" id="page72"></a><span class="left">[page 72]</span> +<p>There's a bank to zit down, when y'ave danced a reel drough,</p> +<p>An' a tree over head vor to keep off the dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There be rwoses an' honeyzucks hangèn among</p> +<p>The bushes, to put in thy weäst; an' the zong</p> +<p>O' the nightingeäle's heärd in the hedges all roun';</p> +<p>An' I'll get thee a glow-worm to stick in thy gown.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's Meäry so modest, an' Jenny so smart,</p> +<p>An' Mag that do love a good rompse to her heart;</p> +<p>There's Joe at the mill that do zing funny zongs,</p> +<p>An' short-lagged Dick, too, a-waggèn his prongs.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo come to the parrock, come out to the tree,</p> +<p>The maïdens an' chaps be a-waïtèn vor thee;</p> +<p>There's Jim wi' his fiddle to plaÿ us some reels,—</p> +<p>Come out along wi' us, an' fling up thy heels.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + + +<a name="p72" id="p72"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>THE VEAIRIES.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Simon an' Samel.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /><br /> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's what the vo'k do call a veäiry ring</p> +<p>Out there, lo'k zee. Why, 'tis an oddish thing.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! zoo do seem. I wunder how do come!</p> +<p>What is it that do meäke it, I do wonder?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page73" id="page73"></a><span class="left">[page 73]</span> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Be hang'd if I can tell, I'm sure! But zome</p> +<p>Do zay do come by lightnèn when do thunder;</p> +<p>An' zome do say sich rings as thík ring there is,</p> +<p>Do grow in dancèn-tracks o' little veäiries,</p> +<p>That in the nights o' zummer or o' spring</p> +<p>Do come by moonlight, when noo other veet</p> +<p>Do tread the dewy grass, but their's, an' meet</p> +<p>An' dance away together in a ring.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' who d'ye think do work the fiddlestick?</p> +<p>A little veäiry too, or else wold Nick!</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, they do zay, that at the veäiries' ball,</p> +<p>There's nar a fiddle that's a-heär'd at all;</p> +<p>But they do plaÿ upon a little pipe</p> +<p>A-meäde o' kexes or o' straws, dead ripe,</p> +<p>A-stuck in row (zome short an' longer zome)</p> +<p>Wi' slime o' snaïls, or bits o' plum-tree gum,</p> +<p>An' meäke sich music that to hear it sound,</p> +<p>You'd stick so still's a pollard to the ground.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>What do em dance? 'Tis plaïn by theäse green wheels,</p> +<p>They don't frisk in an' out in dree-hand reels;</p> +<p>Vor else, instead o' theäse here girt round O,</p> +<p>The'd cut us out a figure aïght (8), d'ye know.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! they ha' jigs to fit their little veet.</p> +<p>They woulden dance, you know, at their fine ball,</p> +<p>The dree an' vow'r han' reels that we do sprawl</p> +<p>An' kick about in, when we men do meet.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page74" id="page74"></a><span class="left">[page 74]</span> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo have zome vo'k, in their midnight rambles,</p> +<p>A-catch'd the veäiries, then, in theäsem gambols.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, yes; but they be off lik' any shot,</p> +<p>So soon's a man's a-comèn near the spot</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But in the day-time where do veäiries hide?</p> +<p>Where be their hwomes, then? where do veäiries bide?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! they do get awaÿ down under ground,</p> +<p>In hollow pleäzen where they can't be vound.</p> +<p>But still my gramfer, many years agoo,</p> +<p>(He liv'd at Grenley-farm, an milk'd a deäiry),</p> +<p>If what the wolder vo'k do tell is true,</p> +<p>Woone mornèn eärly vound a veäiry.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SAMEL.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' did he stop, then, wi' the good wold bwoy?</p> +<p>Or did he soon contrive to slip awoy?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>SIMON.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, when the vo'k were all asleep, a-bed,</p> +<p>The veäiries us'd to come, as 'tis a-zaid,</p> +<p>Avore the vire wer cwold, an' dance an hour</p> +<p>Or two at dead o' night upon the vloor;</p> +<p>Var they, by only utterèn a word</p> +<p>Or charm, can come down chimney lik' a bird;</p> +<p>Or draw their bodies out so long an' narrow,</p> +<p>That they can vlee drough keyholes lik' an arrow.</p> +<p>An' zoo woone midnight, when the moon did drow</p> +<p>His light drough window, roun' the vloor below,</p> +<p>An' crickets roun' the bricken he'th did zing,</p> +<p>They come an' danced about the hall in ring;</p> +<a name="page75" id="page75"></a><span class="left">[page 75]</span> +<p>An' tapp'd, drough little holes noo eyes could spy,</p> +<p>A kag o' poor aunt's meäd a-stannèn by.</p> +<p>An' woone o'm drink'd so much, he coulden mind</p> +<p>The word he wer to zay to meäke en small;</p> +<p>He got a-dather'd zoo, that after all</p> +<p>Out tothers went an' left en back behind.</p> +<p>An' after he'd a-beät about his head,</p> +<p>Ageän the keyhole till he wer half dead,</p> +<p>He laid down all along upon the vloor</p> +<p>Till gramfer, comen down, unlocked the door:</p> +<p>An' then he zeed en ('twer enough to frighten èn)</p> +<p>Bolt out o' door, an' down the road lik' lightenèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page76" id="page76"></a><span class="left">[page 76]</span> + +<h3>FALL.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/rule0-100.png" width="100" height="17" alt="rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + + +<h4>CORN A-TURNEN YOLLOW</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The windless copse ha' sheädy boughs,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' blackbirds' evenèn whistles;</p> + <p>The hills ha' sheep upon their brows,</p> + <p class="i2">The zummerleäze ha' thistles:</p> + <p>The meäds be gaÿ in grassy Maÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">But, oh! vrom hill to hollow,</p> + <p>Let me look down upon a groun'</p> + <p class="i2">O' corn a-turnèn yollow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' pease do grow in tangled beds,</p> + <p class="i2">An' beäns be sweet to snuff, O;</p> + <p>The teäper woats do bend their heads,</p> + <p class="i2">The barley's beard is rough, O.</p> + <p>The turnip green is fresh between</p> + <p class="i2">The corn in hill or hollow,</p> + <p>But I'd look down upon a groun'</p> + <p class="i2">O' wheat a-turnèn yollow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Tis merry when the brawny men</p> + <p class="i2">Do come to reap it down, O,</p> + <p>Where glossy red the poppy head</p> + <p class="i2">'S among the stalks so brown, O.</p> + <p>'Tis merry while the wheat's in hile,</p> + <p class="i2">Or when, by hill or hollow,</p> + <p>The leäzers thick do stoop to pick</p> + <p class="i2">The ears so ripe an' yollow.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page77" id="page77"></a><span class="left">[page 77]</span> + +<h4>A-HAULEN O' THE CORN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! yesterday, you know, we carr'd</p> + <p class="i2">The piece o' corn in Zidelèn Plot,</p> + <p>An' work'd about it pretty hard,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vound the weather pretty hot.</p> + <p>'Twer all a-tied an' zet upright</p> + <p>In tidy hile o' Monday night;</p> + <p>Zoo yesterday in afternoon</p> + <p>We zet, in eärnest, ev'ry woone</p> + <p class="i4">A-haulèn o' the corn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The hosses, wi' the het an' lwoad,</p> + <p class="i2">Did froth, an' zwang vrom zide to zide,</p> + <p>A-gwaïn along the dousty road,</p> + <p class="i2">An' seem'd as if they would a-died.</p> + <p>An' wi' my collar all undone,</p> + <p>An' neck a-burnèn wi' the zun,</p> + <p>I got, wi' work, an' doust, an' het,</p> + <p>So dry at last, I coulden spet,</p> + <p class="i6">A-haulèn o' the corn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>At uncle's orcha'd, gwaïn along,</p> + <p class="i2">I begged some apples, vor to quench</p> + <p>My drith, o' Poll that wer among</p> + <p class="i2">The trees: but she, a saucy wench,</p> + <p>Toss'd over hedge some crabs vor fun.</p> + <p>I squaïl'd her, though, an' meäde her run;</p> + <p>An' zoo she gie'd me, vor a treat,</p> + <p>A lot o' stubberds vor to eat.</p> + <p class="i6">A-haulèn o' the corn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' up at rick, Jeäne took the flagon,</p> + <p class="i2">An' gi'ed us out zome eäle; an' then</p> + <p>I carr'd her out upon the waggon,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' bread an' cheese to gi'e the men.</p><a name="page78" id="page78"></a><span class="left">[page 78]</span> + <p>An' there, vor fun, we dress'd her head</p> + <p>Wi' noddèn poppies bright an' red,</p> + <p>As we wer catchèn vrom our laps,</p> + <p> Below a woak, our bits an' draps,</p> + <p class="i6">A-haulèn o' the corn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p78" id="p78"></a> + +<h4>HARVEST HWOME.</h4> + +<h4><i>The vu'st peärt. The Supper.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Since we wer striplèns naïghbour John,</p> + <p>The good wold merry times be gone:</p> + <p>But we do like to think upon</p> + <p class="i4">What we've a-zeed an' done.</p> + <p>When I wer up a hardish lad,</p> + <p>At harvest hwome the work-vo'k had</p> + <p>Sich suppers, they wer jumpèn mad</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' feästèn an' wi' fun.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>At uncle's, I do mind, woone year,</p> + <p>I zeed a vill o' hearty cheer;</p> + <p>Fat beef an' puddèn, eäle an' beer,</p> + <p class="i4">Vor ev'ry workman's crop</p> + <p>An' after they'd a-gie'd God thanks,</p> + <p>They all zot down, in two long ranks,</p> + <p>Along a teäble-bwoard o' planks,</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' uncle at the top.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there, in platters, big and brown,</p> + <p>Wer red fat beäcon, an' a roun'</p> + <p>O' beef wi' gravy that would drown</p> + <p class="i4">A little rwoastèn pig;</p> + <p>Wi' beäns an' teäties vull a zack,</p> + <p>An' cabbage that would meäke a stack,</p> + <p>An' puddèns brown, a-speckled black</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' figs, so big's my wig.</p></div> + +<a name="page79" id="page79"></a><span class="left">[page 79]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' uncle, wi' his elbows out,</p> + <p>Did carve, an' meäke the gravy spout;</p> + <p>An' aunt did gi'e the mugs about</p> + <p class="i4">A-frothèn to the brim.</p> + <p>Pleätes werden then ov e'then ware,</p> + <p>They ate off pewter, that would bear</p> + <p>A knock; or wooden trenchers, square,</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' zalt-holes at the rim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zoo they munch'd their hearty cheer,</p> + <p>An' dipp'd their beards in frothy-beer,</p> + <p>An' laugh'd, an' jok'd—they couldden hear</p> + <p class="i4">What woone another zaid.</p> + <p>An' all o'm drink'd, wi' woone accword,</p> + <p>The wold vo'k's health: an' beät the bwoard,</p> + <p>An' swung their eärms about, an' roar'd,</p> + <p class="i4">Enough to crack woone's head.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p79" id="p79"></a> + +<h4>HARVEST HWOME.</h4> + +<h4><i>Second Peärt. What they did after Supper.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo after supper wer a-done,</p> + <p>They clear'd the teäbles, an' begun</p> + <p>To have a little bit o' fun,</p> + <p class="i4">As long as they mid stop.</p> + <p>The wold woones took their pipes to smoke,</p> + <p>An' tell their teäles, an' laugh an' joke,</p> + <p>A-lookèn at the younger vo'k,</p> + <p class="i4">That got up vor a hop.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Woone screäp'd away, wi' merry grin,</p> + <p>A fiddle stuck below his chin;</p> + <p>An' woone o'm took the rollèn pin,</p> + <p class="i4">An' beät the fryèn pan.</p><a name="page80" id="page80"></a><span class="left">[page 80]</span> + <p>An' tothers, dancèn to the soun',</p> + <p>Went in an' out, an' droo an' roun',</p> + <p>An' kick'd, an' beät the tuèn down,</p> + <p class="i4">A-laughèn, maïd an' man.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then a maïd, all up tip-tooe,</p> + <p>Vell down; an' woone o'm wi' his shoe</p> + <p>Slit down her pocket-hole in two,</p> + <p class="i4">Vrom top a-most to bottom.</p> + <p>An' when they had a-danc'd enough,</p> + <p>They got a-plaÿèn blindman's buff,</p> + <p>An' sard the maïdens pretty rough,</p> + <p class="i4">When woonce they had a-got em.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zome did drink, an' laugh, an' roar,</p> + <p>An' lots o' teäles they had in store,</p> + <p>O' things that happen'd years avore</p> + <p class="i4">To them, or vo'k they know'd.</p> + <p>An' zome did joke, an' zome did zing,</p> + <p>An' meäke the girt wold kitchen ring;</p> + <p>Till uncle's cock, wi' flappèn wing,</p> + <p class="i4">Stratch'd out his neck an' crow'd.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p80" id="p80"></a> + +<h4>A ZONG OV HARVEST HWOME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The ground is clear. There's nar a ear</p> + <p class="i2">O' stannèn corn a-left out now,</p> + <p>Vor win' to blow or raïn to drow;</p> + <p class="i2">'Tis all up seäfe in barn or mow.</p> + <p class="i2">Here's health to them that plough'd an' zow'd;</p> + <p class="i2">Here's health to them that reap'd an' mow'd,</p> + <p class="i2">An' them that had to pitch an' lwoad,</p> + <p class="i2">Or tip the rick at Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p></div> + +<a name="page81" id="page81"></a><span class="left">[page 81]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' mid noo harm o' vire or storm</p> + <p class="i2">Beval the farmer or his corn;</p> + <p>An' ev'ry zack o' zeed gi'e back</p> + <p class="i2">A hunderd-vwold so much in barn.</p> + <p class="i2">An' mid his Meäker bless his store,</p> + <p class="i2">His wife an' all that she've a-bore,</p> + <p class="i2">An' keep all evil out o' door,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom Harvest Hwome to Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Mid nothèn ill betide the mill,</p> + <p class="i2">As day by day the miller's wheel</p> + <p>Do dreve his clacks, an' heist his zacks,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vill his bins wi' show'rèn meal:</p> + <p class="i2">Mid's water never overflow</p> + <p class="i2">His dousty mill, nor zink too low,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom now till wheat ageän do grow,</p> + <p class="i2">An' we've another Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Drough cisterns wet an' malt-kil's het,</p> + <p class="i2">Mid barley paÿ the malter's païns;</p> + <p>An' mid noo hurt bevall the wort,</p> + <p class="i2">A-bweilèn vrom the brewer's graïns.</p> + <p class="i2">Mid all his beer keep out o' harm</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom bu'sted hoop or thunder storm,</p> + <p class="i2">That we mid have a mug to warm</p> + <p class="i2">Our merry hearts nex' Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Mid luck an' jaÿ the beäker paÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">As he do hear his vier roar,</p> + <p>Or nimbly catch his hot white batch,</p> + <p class="i2">A-reekèn vrom the oven door.</p><a name="page82" id="page82"></a><span class="left">[page 82]</span> + <p class="i2">An' mid it never be too high</p> + <p class="i2">Vor our vew zixpences to buy,</p> + <p class="i2">When we do hear our childern cry</p> + <p class="i2">Vor bread, avore nex' Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Wi' jaÿ o' heart mid shooters start</p> + <p class="i2">The whirrèn pa'tridges in vlocks;</p> + <p>While shots do vlee drough bush an' tree,</p> + <p class="i2">An' dogs do stan' so still as stocks.</p> + <p class="i2">An' let em ramble round the farms</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' guns 'ithin their bended eärms,</p> + <p class="i2">In goolden zunsheen free o' storms,</p> + <p class="i2">Rejaïcèn vor the Harvest Hwome.</p> + <p><i>The happy zight,—the merry night,</i></p> + <p><i>The men's delight,—the Harvest Hwome.</i></p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p82" id="p82"></a> + +<h4>POLL'S JACK-DAW.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! Jimmy vow'd he'd have the law</p> +<p>Ov ouer cousin Poll's Jack-daw,</p> +<p>That had by day his withy jaïl</p> +<p>A-hangèn up upon a naïl,</p> +<p>Ageän the elem tree, avore</p> +<p>The house, jist over-right the door,</p> +<p>An' twitted vo'k a-passèn by</p> +<p>A-most so plaïn as you or I;</p> +<p>Vor hardly any day did pass</p> +<p>'Ithout Tom's teachèn o'm zome sa'ce;</p> +<p>Till by-an'-by he call'd em all</p> +<p>'Soft-polls' an' 'gawkeys,' girt an' small.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, as Jim went down along</p> +<p>The leäne a-whisslèn ov a zong,</p> +<p>The saucy Daw cried out by rote</p> +<p>"Girt Soft-poll!" lik' to split his droat.</p><a name="page83" id="page83"></a><span class="left">[page 83]</span> +<p>Jim stopp'd an' grabbled up a clot,</p> +<p>An' zent en at en lik' a shot;</p> +<p>An' down went Daw an' cage avore</p> +<p>The clot, up thump ageän the door.</p> +<p>Zoo out run Poll an' Tom, to zee</p> +<p>What all the meänèn o't mid be;</p> +<p>"Now who did that?" zaid Poll. "Who whurr'd</p> +<p>Theäse clot?" "Girt Soft-poll!" cried the bird.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when Tom catch'd a glimpse o' Jim,</p> +<p>A-lookèn all so red an' slim,</p> +<p>An' slinkèn on, he vled, red hot,</p> +<p>Down leäne to catch en, lik' a shot;</p> +<p>But Jim, that thought he'd better trust</p> +<p>To lags than vistes, tried em vu'st.</p> +<p>An' Poll, that zeed Tom woulden catch</p> +<p>En, stood a-smilèn at the hatch.</p> +<p>An' zoo he vollow'd en for two</p> +<p>Or dree stwones' drows, an' let en goo.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p83" id="p83"></a> + +<h4>THE IVY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Upon theäse knap I'd sooner be</p> + <p>The ivy that do climb the tree,</p> + <p>Than bloom the gaÿest rwose a-tied</p> + <p>An' trimm'd upon the house's zide.</p> + <p>The rwose mid be the maïdens' pride,</p> + <p class="i2">But still the ivy's wild an' free;</p> + <p class="i2">An' what is all that life can gi'e,</p> + <p class="i4">'Ithout a free light heart, John?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The creepèn sheäde mid steal too soon</p> + <p>Upon the rwose in afternoon;</p> + <p>But here the zun do drow his het</p> + <p>Vrom when do rise till when do zet,</p><a name="page84" id="page84"></a><span class="left">[page 84]</span> + <p>To dry the leaves the raïn do wet.</p> + <p class="i2">An' evenèn aïr do bring along</p> + <p class="i2">The merry deäiry-maïden's zong,</p> + <p class="i4">The zong of free light hearts, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! why do vo'k so often chaïn</p> + <p>Their pinèn minds vor love o' gaïn,</p> + <p>An' gi'e their innocence to rise</p> + <p>A little in the worold's eyes?</p> + <p>If pride could lift us to the skies,</p> + <p class="i2">What man do value God do slight,</p> + <p class="i2">An' all is nothèn in his zight</p> + <p class="i4">'Ithout an honest heart, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An ugly feäce can't bribe the brooks</p> + <p>To show it back young han'some looks,</p> + <p>Nor crooked vo'k intice the light</p> + <p>To cast their zummer sheädes upright:</p> + <p>Noo goold can blind our Meäker's zight.</p> + <p class="i2">An' what's the odds what cloth do hide</p> + <p class="i2">The bosom that do hold inside</p> + <p class="i4">A free an' honest heart, John?</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p84" id="p84"></a> + +<h4>THE WELSHNUT TREE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When in the evenèn the zun's a-zinkèn,</p> + <p class="i2">A drowèn sheädes vrom the yollow west,</p> + <p>An' mother, weary, 's a-zot a thinkèn,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' vwolded eärms by the vire at rest,</p> + <p class="i8">Then we do zwarm, O,</p> + <p class="i8">Wi' such a charm, O,</p> + <p class="i2">So vull o' glee by the welshnut tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A-leävèn father in-doors, a-leinèn'</p> + <p class="i2">In his girt chair in his easy shoes,</p><a name="page85" id="page85"></a><span class="left">[page 85]</span> + <p>Or in the settle so high behine en,</p> + <p class="i2">While down bezide en the dog do snooze,</p> + <p class="i8">Our tongues do run, O,</p> + <p class="i8">Enough to stun, O,</p> + <p class="i2">Your head wi' glee by the welshnut tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There we do plaÿ 'thread the woman's needle.'</p> + <p class="i2">An' slap the maïdens a-dartèn drough:</p> + <p>Or try who'll ax em the hardest riddle,</p> + <p class="i2">Or soonest tell woone a-put us, true;</p> + <p class="i8">Or zit an' ring, O,</p> + <p class="i8">The bells, ding, ding, O,</p> + <p class="i2">Upon our knee by the welshnut tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zome do goo out, an' hide in orcha't,</p> + <p class="i2">An' tothers, slily a-stealèn by,</p> + <p>Where there's a dark cunnèn pleäce, do sarch it,</p> + <p class="i2">Till they do zee em an' cry, "I spy,"</p> + <p class="i8">An' thik a-vound, O,</p> + <p class="i8">Do gi'e a bound, O,</p> + <p class="i2">To get off free to the welshnut tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Poll went woone night, that we midden vind her,</p> + <p class="i2">Inzide a woak wi' a hollow moot,</p> + <p>An' drough a hole near the groun' behind her,</p> + <p class="i2">I pok'd a stick in, an' catch'd her voot;</p> + <p class="i8">An' out she scream'd, O,</p> + <p class="i8">An' jump'd, an' seem'd, O,</p> + <p class="i2">A-móst to vlee to the welshnut tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when, at last, at the drashel, mother</p> + <p class="i2">Do call us, smilèn, in-door to rest,</p> + <p>Then we do cluster by woone another,</p> + <p class="i2">To zee hwome them we do love the best:</p> + <p class="i8">An' then do sound, O,</p> + <p class="i8">"Good night," all round, O,</p> + <p class="i2">To end our glee by the welshnut tree.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page86" id="page86"></a><span class="left">[page 86]</span> + +<h4>JENNY OUT VROM HWOME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O wild-reävèn west winds; as you do roar on,</p> + <p class="i2">The elems do rock an' the poplars do ply,</p> + <p>An' weäve do dreve weäve in the dark-water'd pon',—</p> + <p class="i2">Oh! where do ye rise vrom, an' where do ye die?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O wild-reävèn winds I do wish I could vlee</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' you, lik' a bird o' the clouds, up above</p> + <p>The ridge o' the hill an' the top o' the tree,</p> + <p class="i2">To where I do long vor, an' vo'k I do love.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Or else that in under theäse rock I could hear,</p> + <p class="i2">In the soft-zwellèn sounds you do leäve in your road,</p> + <p>Zome words you mid bring me, vrom tongues that be dear,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom friends that do love me, all scatter'd abrode.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O wild-reävèn winds! if you ever do roar</p> + <p class="i2">By the house an' the elems vrom where I'm a-come,</p> + <p>Breathe up at the window, or call at the door,</p> + <p class="i2">An' tell you've a-voun' me a-thinkèn o' hwome.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p86" id="p86"></a> + +<h4>GRENLEY WATER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The sheädeless darkness o' the night</p> + <p>Can never blind my mem'ry's zight;</p> + <p>An' in the storm, my fancy's eyes</p> + <p>Can look upon their own blue skies.</p> + <p>The laggèn moon mid faïl to rise,</p> + <p class="i2">But when the daylight's blue an' green</p> + <p class="i2">Be gone, my fancy's zun do sheen</p> + <p class="i4">At hwome at Grenley Water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>As when the work-vo'k us'd to ride </p> + <p>In waggon, by the hedge's zide,</p><a name="page87" id="page87"></a><span class="left">[page 87]</span> + <p>Drough evenèn sheädes that trees cast down</p> + <p>Vrom lofty stems athirt the groun';</p> + <p>An' in at house the mug went roun',</p> + <p class="i2">While ev'ry merry man praïs'd up</p> + <p class="i2">The pretty maïd that vill'd his cup,</p> + <p class="i4">The maïd o' Grenley Water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There I do seem ageän to ride</p> + <p>The hosses to the water-zide,</p> + <p>An' zee the visher fling his hook</p> + <p>Below the withies by the brook;</p> + <p>Or Fanny, wi' her blushèn look,</p> + <p class="i2">Car on her païl, or come to dip</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' ceäreful step, her pitcher's lip</p> + <p class="i4">Down into Grenley Water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>If I'd a farm wi' vower ploughs,</p> + <p>An' vor my deäiry fifty cows;</p> + <p>If Grenley Water winded down</p> + <p>Drough two good miles o' my own groun';</p> + <p>If half ov Ashknowle Hill wer brown</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' my own corn,—noo growèn pride</p> + <p class="i2">Should ever meäke me cast azide</p> + <p class="i4">The maïd o' Grenley Water.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p87" id="p87"></a> + +<h4>THE VEAIRY VEET THAT I DO MEET.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When dewy fall's red leaves do vlee</p> + <p>Along the grass below the tree,</p> + <p>Or lie in yollow beds a-shook</p> + <p>Upon the shallow-water'd brook,</p> + <p>Or drove 'ithin a sheädy nook;</p> + <p class="i2">Then softly, in the evenèn, down</p> + <p class="i2">The knap do steal along the groun'</p> + <p class="i4">The veäiry veet that I do meet</p> + <p class="i4">Below the row o' beech trees.</p></div> +<a name="page88" id="page88"></a><span class="left">[page 88]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Tis jist avore the candle-light</p> + <p>Do redden windows up at night,</p> + <p>An' peäler stars do light the vogs</p> + <p>A-risèn vrom the brooks an' bogs,</p> + <p>An' when in barkens yoppèn dogs</p> + <p class="i2">Do bark at vo'k a-comèn near,</p> + <p class="i2">Or growl a-lis'enèn to hear</p> + <p class="i4">The veäiry veet that I do meet</p> + <p class="i4">Below the row o' beech trees.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Dree times a-year do bless the road</p> + <p>O' womanhood a-gwaïn abrode:</p> + <p>When vu'st her litty veet do tread</p> + <p>The eärly Maÿ's white deäisy bed:</p> + <p>When leaves be all a-scattered dead;</p> + <p class="i2">An' when the winter's vrozen grass</p> + <p class="i2">Do glissen in the zun lik' glass</p> + <p class="i4">Vor veäiry veet that I do meet</p> + <p class="i4">Below the row o' beech trees.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p88" id="p88"></a> + +<h4>MORNÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When vu'st the breakèn day is red,</p> + <p class="i2">An' grass is dewy wet,</p> + <p>An' roun' the blackberry's a-spread</p> + <p class="i2">The spider's gliss'nèn net,</p> + <p>Then I do dreve the cows across</p> + <p class="i2">The brook that's in a vog,</p> + <p>While they do trot, an' bleäre, an' toss</p> + <p class="i2">Their heads to hook the dog;</p> + <p>Vor the cock do gi'e me warnèn,</p> + <p class="i6">An' light or dark,</p> + <p class="i6">So brisk's a lark,</p> + <p class="i2">I'm up at break o' mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Avore the maïden's sleep's a-broke</p> + <p class="i2">By window-strikèn zun,</p><a name="page89" id="page89"></a><span class="left">[page 89]</span> + <p>Avore the busy wife's vu'st smoke</p> + <p class="i2">Do curl above the tun,</p> + <p>My day's begun. An' when the zun</p> + <p class="i2">'S a-zinkèn in the west,</p> + <p>The work the mornèn brought's a-done,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I do goo to rest,</p> + <p>Till the cock do gi'e me warnèn;</p> + <p class="i6">An' light or dark,</p> + <p class="i6">So brisk's a lark,</p> + <p class="i2">I'm up ageän nex' mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We can't keep back the daily zun,</p> + <p class="i2">The wind is never still,</p> + <p>An' never ha' the streams a-done</p> + <p class="i2">A-runnèn down at hill.</p> + <p>Zoo they that ha' their work to do,</p> + <p class="i2">Should do't so soon's they can;</p> + <p>Vor time an' tide will come an' goo,</p> + <p class="i2">An' never waït vor man,</p> + <p>As the cock do gi'e me warnèn;</p> + <p class="i6">When, light or dark,</p> + <p class="i6">So brisk's a lark,</p> + <p class="i2">I'm up so rathe in mornèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We've leäzes where the aïr do blow,</p> + <p class="i2">An' meäds wi' deäiry cows,</p> + <p>An' copse wi' lewth an' sheäde below</p> + <p class="i2">The overhangèn boughs.</p> + <p>An' when the zun, noo time can tire,</p> + <p class="i2">'S a-quench'd below the west,</p> + <p>Then we've, avore the bleäzèn vire,</p> + <p class="i2">A settle vor to rest,—</p> + <p>To be up ageän nex' mornèn</p> + <p class="i6">So brisk's a lark,</p> + <p class="i6">When, light or dark,</p> + <p class="i2">The cock do gi'e us warnèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page90" id="page90"></a><span class="left">[page 90]</span> + +<h4>OUT A-NUTTÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Last week, when we'd a haul'd the crops,</p> + <p>We went a-nuttèn out in copse,</p> + <p>Wi' nuttèn-bags to bring hwome vull,</p> + <p>An' beaky nuttèn-crooks to pull</p> + <p>The bushes down; an' all o's wore</p> + <p>Wold clothes that wer in rags avore,</p> + <p>An' look'd, as we did skip an' zing,</p> + <p>Lik' merry gipsies in a string,</p> + <p class="i4">A-gwaïn a-nuttèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo drough the stubble, over rudge</p> + <p>An' vurrow, we begun to trudge;</p> + <p>An' Sal an' Nan agreed to pick</p> + <p>Along wi' me, an' Poll wi' Dick;</p> + <p>An' they went where the wold wood, high</p> + <p>An' thick, did meet an' hide the sky;</p> + <p>But we thought we mid vind zome good</p> + <p>Ripe nuts among the shorter wood,</p> + <p class="i4">The best vor nuttèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We voun' zome bushes that did feäce</p> + <p>The downcast zunlight's highest pleäce,</p> + <p>Where clusters hung so ripe an' brown,</p> + <p>That some slipp'd shell an' vell to groun'.</p> + <p>But Sal wi' me zoo hitch'd her lag</p> + <p>In brembles, that she coulden wag;</p> + <p>While Poll kept clwose to Dick, an' stole</p> + <p>The nuts vrom's hinder pocket-hole,</p> + <p class="i4">While he did nutty.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Nanny thought she zaw a sneäke,</p> + <p>An' jump'd off into zome girt breäke,</p> + <p>An' tore the bag where she'd a-put</p> + <p>Her sheäre, an' shatter'd ev'ry nut.</p><a name="page91" id="page91"></a><span class="left">[page 91]</span> + <p>An' out in vield we all zot roun'</p> + <p>A white-stemm'd woak upon the groun',</p> + <p>Where yollor evenèn light did strik'</p> + <p>Drough yollow leaves, that still wer thick</p> + <p class="i4"> time o' nuttèn,</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' twold ov all the luck we had</p> + <p>Among the bushes, good an' bad!</p> + <p>Till all the maïdens left the bwoys,</p> + <p>An' skipp'd about the leäze all woys</p> + <p>Vor musherooms, to car back zome,</p> + <p>A treat vor father in at hwome.</p> + <p>Zoo off we trudg'd wi' clothes in slents</p> + <p>An' libbets, jis' lik' Jack-o'-lents,</p> + <p class="i4">Vrom copse a-nuttèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p91" id="p91"></a> + +<h4>TEAKEN IN APPLES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We took the apples in last week,</p> +<p>An' got, by night, zome eächèn backs</p> +<p>A-stoopèn down all day to pick</p> +<p>So many up in mawns an' zacks.</p> +<p>An' there wer Liz so proud an' prim,</p> +<p>An' dumpy Nan, an' Poll so sly;</p> +<p>An' dapper Tom, an' loppèn Jim,</p> +<p>An' little Dick, an' Fan, an' I.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the lwoaded tree bent low,</p> +<p>Behung wi' apples green an' red;</p> +<p>An' springèn grass could hardly grow,</p> +<p>Drough windvalls down below his head.</p> +<p>An' when the maïdens come in roun'</p> +<p>The heavy boughs to vill their laps,</p> +<p>We slily shook the apples down</p> +<p>Lik' haïl, an' gi'ed their backs some raps.</p></div> +<a name="page92" id="page92"></a><span class="left">[page 92]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zome big apple, Jimmy flung</p> +<p>To squaïl me, gi'ed me sich a crack;</p> +<p>But very shortly his ear rung,</p> +<p>Wi' woone I zent to paÿ en back.</p> +<p>An' after we'd a-had our squaïls,</p> +<p>Poor Tom, a-jumpèn in a bag,</p> +<p>Wer pinch'd by all the maïden's naïls,</p> +<p>An' rolled down into hwome-groun' quag.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then they carr'd our Fan all roun',</p> +<p>'Ithin a mawn, till zome girt stump</p> +<p>Upset en over on the groun',</p> +<p>An' drow'd her out along-straïght, plump.</p> +<p>An' in the cider-house we zot</p> +<p>Upon the windlass Poll an' Nan,</p> +<p>An' spun 'em roun' till they wer got</p> +<p>So giddy that they coulden stan'.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p92" id="p92"></a> + +<h4>MEAPLE LEAVES BE YOLLOW.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Come, let's stroll down so vur's the poun',</p> + <p>Avore the sparklèn zun is down:</p> + <p>The zummer's gone, an' days so feäir</p> + <p>As theäse be now a-gettèn reäre.</p> + <p>The night, wi' mwore than daylight's sheäre</p> + <p class="i2">O' wat'ry sky, do wet wi' dew</p> + <p class="i2">The ee-grass up above woone's shoe,</p> + <p class="i4">An' meäple leaves be yollow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The last hot doust, above the road,</p> + <p>An' vu'st dead leaves ha' been a-blow'd</p> + <p>By plaÿsome win's where spring did spread</p> + <p>The blossoms that the zummer shed;</p> + <p>An' near blue sloos an' conkers red</p> + <p class="i2">The evenèn zun, a zettèn soon,</p> + <p class="i2">Do leäve a-quiv'rèn to the moon,</p> + <p class="i4">The meäple leaves so yollow.</p></div> +<a name="page93" id="page93"></a><span class="left">[page 93]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo come along, an' let's injaÿ</p> + <p>The last fine weather while do staÿ;</p> + <p>While thou canst hang, wi' ribbons slack,</p> + <p>Thy bonnet down upon thy back,</p> + <p>Avore the winter, cwold an' black,</p> + <p class="i2">Do kill thy flowers, an' avore</p> + <p class="i2">Thy bird-cage is a-took in door,</p> + <p class="i4">Though meäple leaves be yollow.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p93" id="p93"></a> + +<h4>NIGHT A-ZETTEN IN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When leäzers wi' their laps o' corn</p> + <p class="i2">Noo longer be a-stoopèn,</p> + <p>An' in the stubble, all vorlorn,</p> + <p class="i2">Noo poppies be a-droopèn;</p> + <p>When theäse young harvest-moon do weäne,</p> + <p class="i2">That now've his horns so thin, O,</p> + <p>We'll leäve off walkèn in the leäne,</p> + <p class="i2">While night's a zettèn in, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When zummer doust is all a-laid</p> + <p class="i2">Below our litty shoes, O;</p> + <p>When all the raïn-chill'd flow'rs be dead,</p> + <p class="i2">That now do drink the dews, O;</p> + <p>When beauty's neck, that's now a-show'd,</p> + <p class="i2">'S a-muffled to the chin, O;</p> + <p>We'll leäve off walkèn in the road,</p> + <p class="i2">When night's a-zettèn in, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But now, while barley by the road</p> + <p class="i2">Do hang upon the bough, O,</p> + <p>A-pull'd by branches off the lwoad</p> + <p class="i2">A-ridèn hwome to mow, O;</p> + <p>While spiders roun' the flower-stalks</p> + <p class="i2">Ha' cobwebs yet to spin, O,</p> + <p>We'll cool ourzelves in out-door walks,</p> + <p class="i2">When night's a-zettèn in, O.</p></div> +<a name="page94" id="page94"></a><span class="left">[page 94]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>While down at vword the brook so small,</p> + <p class="i2">That leätely wer so high, O,</p> + <p>Wi' little tinklèn sounds do vall</p> + <p class="i2">In roun' the stwones half dry, O;</p> + <p>While twilight ha' sich aïr in store,</p> + <p class="i2">To cool our zunburnt skin, O,</p> + <p>We'll have a ramble out o' door,</p> + <p class="i2">When night's a-zettèn in, O.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p94" id="p94"></a> + +<h4>THE WEATHER-BEATEN TREE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The woaken tree, a-beät at night</p> +<p>By stormy winds wi' all their spite,</p> +<p>Mid toss his lim's, an' ply, an' mwoan,</p> +<p>Wi' unknown struggles all alwone;</p> +<p>An' when the day do show his head,</p> +<p>A-stripp'd by winds at last a-laid,</p> +<p>How vew mid think that didden zee,</p> +<p>How night-time had a-tried thik tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' happy vo'k do seldom know</p> +<p>How hard our unknown storms do blow,</p> +<p>The while our heads do slowly bend</p> +<p>Below the trials God do zend,</p> +<p>Like shiv'rèn bennets, beäre to all</p> +<p>The drevèn winds o' dark'nèn fall.</p> +<p>An' zoo in tryèn hardships we</p> +<p>Be lik' the weather beäten tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But He will never meäke our sheäre</p> +<p>O' sorrow mwore than we can bear,</p> +<p>But meäke us zee, if 'tis His will,</p> +<p>That He can bring us good vrom ill;</p> +<p>As after winter He do bring,</p> +<p>In His good time, the zunny spring,</p> +<p>An' leaves, an' young vo'k vull o' glee</p> +<p>A-dancèn roun' the woaken tree.</p></div> +<a name="page95" id="page95"></a><span class="left">[page 95]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>True love's the ivy that do twine</p> +<p>Unwith'rèn roun' his mossy rine,</p> +<p>When winter's zickly zun do sheen</p> +<p>Upon its leaves o' glossy green,</p> +<p>So patiently a-holdèn vast</p> +<p>Till storms an' cwold be all a-past,</p> +<p>An' only livèn vor to be</p> +<p>A-meäted to the woaken tree.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p95" id="p95"></a> + +<h4>SHRODON FEÄIR.</h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>The vu'st Peärt.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo's the day wer warm an' bright,</p> +<p>An' nar a cloud wer up in zight,</p> +<p>We wheedled father vor the meäre</p> +<p>An' cart, to goo to Shrodon feäir.</p> +<p>An' Poll an' Nan run off up stairs,</p> +<p>To shift their things, as wild as heäres;</p> +<p>An' pull'd out, each o'm vrom her box,</p> +<p>Their snow-white leäce an' newest frocks,</p> +<p>An' put their bonnets on, a-lined</p> +<p>Wi' blue, an' sashes tied behind;</p> +<p>An' turn'd avore the glass their feäce</p> +<p>An' back, to zee their things in pleäce;</p> +<p>While Dick an' I did brush our hats</p> +<p>An' cwoats, an' cleän ourzelves lik' cats.</p> +<p>At woone or two o'clock, we vound</p> +<p>Ourzelves at Shrodon seäfe an' sound,</p> +<p>A-struttèn in among the rows</p> +<p>O' tilted stannèns an' o' shows,</p> +<p>An' girt long booths wi' little bars</p> +<p>Chock-vull o' barrels, mugs, an' jars,</p> +<p>An' meat a-cookèn out avore</p> +<p>The vier at the upper door;</p><a name="page96" id="page96"></a><span class="left">[page 96]</span> +<p>Where zellers bwold to buyers shy</p> +<p>Did hollow round us, "What d'ye buy?"</p> +<p>An' scores o' merry tongues did speak</p> +<p>At woonce, an' childern's pipes did squeak,</p> +<p>An' horns did blow, an' drums did rumble,</p> +<p>An' bawlèn merrymen did tumble;</p> +<p>An' woone did all but want an edge</p> +<p>To peärt the crowd wi', lik' a wedge.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We zaw the dancers in a show</p> +<p>Dance up an' down, an' to an' fro,</p> +<p>Upon a rwope, wi' chalky zoles,</p> +<p>So light as magpies up on poles;</p> +<p>An' tumblers, wi' their streaks an' spots,</p> +<p>That all but tied theirzelves in knots.</p> +<p>An' then a conjurer burn'd off</p> +<p>Poll's han'kerchief so black's a snoff,</p> +<p>An' het en, wi' a single blow,</p> +<p>Right back ageän so white as snow.</p> +<p>An' after that, he fried a fat</p> +<p>Girt ceäke inzide o' my new hat;</p> +<p>An' yet, vor all he did en brown,</p> +<p>He didden even zweal the crown.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p96" id="p96"></a> + +<h4>SHRODON FEÄR.</h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>The rest o't.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' after that we met wi' zome</p> +<p>O' Mans'on vo'k, but jist a-come,</p> +<p>An' had a raffle vor a treat</p> +<p>All roun', o' gingerbread to eat;</p> +<p>An' Tom meäde leäst, wi' all his sheäkes,</p> +<p>An' païd the money vor the ceäkes,</p> +<p>But wer so lwoth to put it down</p> +<p>As if a penny wer a poun'.</p></div> +<a name="page97" id="page97"></a><span class="left">[page 97]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then up come zidelèn Sammy Heäre,</p> +<p>That's fond o' Poll, an' she can't bear,</p> +<p>A-holdèn out his girt scram vist,</p> +<p>An' ax'd her, wi' a grin an' twist,</p> +<p>To have zome nuts; an' she, to hide</p> +<p>Her laughèn, turn'd her head azide,</p> +<p>An' answer'd that she'd rather not,</p> +<p>But Nancy mid. An' Nan, so hot</p> +<p>As vier, zaid 'twer quite enough</p> +<p>Vor Poll to answer vor herzuf:</p> +<p>She had a tongue, she zaid, an' wit</p> +<p>Enough to use en, when 'twer fit.</p> +<p>An' in the dusk, a-ridèn round</p> +<p>Drough Okford, who d'ye think we vound</p> +<p>But Sam ageän, a-gwäin vrom feäir</p> +<p>Astride his broken-winded meäre.</p> +<p>An' zoo, a-hettèn her, he tried</p> +<p>To keep up clwose by ouer zide:</p> +<p>But when we come to Haÿward-brudge,</p> +<p>Our Poll gi'ed Dick a meänèn nudge,</p> +<p>An' wi' a little twitch our meäre</p> +<p>Flung out her lags so lights a heäre,</p> +<p>An' left poor Sammy's skin an' bwones</p> +<p>Behind, a-kickèn o' the stwones.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p97" id="p97"></a> + +<h4>MARTIN'S TIDE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, bring a log o' cleft wood, Jack,</p> +<p>An' fling en on ageän the back,</p> +<p>An' zee the outside door is vast,—</p> +<p>The win' do blow a cwoldish blast.</p> +<p>Come, so's! come, pull your chairs in roun'</p> +<p>Avore the vire; an' let's zit down,</p> +<p>An' keep up Martin's-tide, vor I</p> +<p>Shall keep it up till I do die.</p><a name="page98" id="page98"></a><span class="left">[page 98]</span> +<p>'Twer Martinmas, and ouer feäir,</p> +<p>When Jeäne an' I, a happy peäir,</p> +<p>Vu'st walk'd, a-keepèn up the tide,</p> +<p>Among the stan'ens, zide by zide;</p> +<p>An' thik day twel'month, never faïlèn,</p> +<p>She gi'ed me at the chancel raïlèn</p> +<p>A heart—though I do sound her praise—</p> +<p>As true as ever beät in staÿs.</p> +<p>How vast the time do goo! Do seem</p> +<p>But yesterday,—'tis lik' a dream!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah, sō's! 'tis now zome years agoo</p> +<p>You vu'st knew me, an' I knew you;</p> +<p>An' we've a-had zome bits o' fun,</p> +<p>By winter vire an' zummer zun.</p> +<p>Aye; we've a-prowl'd an' rigg'd about</p> +<p>Lik' cats, in harm's way mwore than out,</p> +<p>An' busy wi' the tricks we plaÿ'd</p> +<p>In fun, to outwit chap or maïd.</p> +<p>An' out avore the bleäzèn he'th,</p> +<p>Our naïsy tongues, in winter me'th,</p> +<p>'V a-shook the warmèn-pan, a-hung</p> +<p>Bezide us, till his cover rung.</p> +<p>There, 'twer but tother day thik chap,</p> +<p>Our Robert, wer a child in lap;</p> +<p>An' Poll's two little lags hung down</p> +<p>Vrom thik wold chair a span vrom groun',</p> +<p>An' now the saucy wench do stride</p> +<p>About wi' steps o' dree veet wide.</p> +<p>How time do goo! A life do seem</p> +<p>As 'twer a year; 'tis lik' a dream!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page99" id="page99"></a><span class="left">[page 99]</span> + +<h4>GUY FAUX'S NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Guy Faux's night, dost know, we chaps,</p> + <p>A-putten on our woldest traps,</p> + <p>Went up the highest o' the knaps,</p> + <p class="i2">An' meäde up such a vier!</p> + <p>An' thou an' Tom wer all we miss'd,</p> + <p>Vor if a sarpent had a-hiss'd</p> + <p>Among the rest in thy sprack vist,</p> + <p class="i2">Our fun 'd a-been the higher.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We chaps at hwome, an' Will our cousin,</p> + <p>Took up a half a lwoad o' vuzzen;</p> + <p>An' burn'd a barrel wi' a dozen</p> + <p class="i2">O' faggots, till above en</p> + <p>The fleämes, arisèn up so high</p> + <p>'S the tun, did snap, an' roar, an' ply,</p> + <p class="i2">Lik' vier in an' oven.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zome wi' hissèn squibs did run,</p> + <p>To paÿ off zome what they'd a-done,</p> + <p>An' let em off so loud's a gun</p> + <p class="i2">Ageän their smokèn polls;</p> + <p>An' zome did stir their nimble pags</p> + <p>Wi' crackers in between their lags,</p> + <p>While zome did burn their cwoats to rags,</p> + <p class="i2">Or wes'cots out in holes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zome o'm's heads lost half their locks,</p> + <p>An' zome o'm got their white smock-frocks</p> + <p>Jist fit to vill the tinder-box,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' half the backs o'm off;</p> + <p>An' Dick, that all o'm vell upon,</p> + <p>Vound woone flap ov his cwoat-taïl gone,</p> + <p>An' tother jist a-hangèn on,</p> + <p class="i2">A-zweal'd so black's a snoff.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="page100" id="page100"></a><span class="left">[page 100]</span> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>THE COMMON A-TOOK IN.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Thomas an' John.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Good morn t'ye, John. How b'ye? how b'ye?</p> +<p>Zoo you be gwaïn to market, I do zee.</p> +<p>Why, you be quite a-lwoaded wi' your geese.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, Thomas, ees.</p> +<p>Why, I'm a-gettèn rid ov ev'ry goose</p> +<p>An' goslèn I've a-got: an' what is woose,</p> +<p>I fear that I must zell my little cow.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How zoo, then, John? Why, what's the matter now?</p> +<p>What, can't ye get along? B'ye run a-ground?</p> +<p>An' can't paÿ twenty shillèns vor a pound?</p> +<p>What can't ye put a lwoaf on shelf?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i16">Ees, now;</p> +<p>But I do fear I shan't 'ithout my cow.</p> +<p>No; they do mëan to teäke the moor in, I do hear,</p> +<p>An' 'twill be soon begun upon;</p> +<p>Zoo I must zell my bit o' stock to-year,</p> +<p>Because they woon't have any groun' to run upon.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, what d'ye tell o'? I be very zorry</p> +<p>To hear what they be gwaïn about;</p> +<p>But yet I s'pose there'll be a 'lotment vor ye,</p> +<p>When they do come to mark it out.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page101" id="page101"></a><span class="left">[page 101]</span> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No; not vor me, I fear. An' if there should,</p> +<p>Why 'twoulden be so handy as 'tis now;</p> +<p>Vor 'tis the common that do do me good,</p> +<p>The run for my vew geese, or vor my cow.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, that's the job; why 'tis a handy thing</p> +<p>To have a bit o' common, I do know,</p> +<p>To put a little cow upon in Spring,</p> +<p>The while woone's bit ov orcha'd grass do grow.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, that's the thing, you zee. Now I do mow</p> +<p>My bit o' grass, an' meäke a little rick;</p> +<p>An' in the zummer, while do grow,</p> +<p>My cow do run in common vor to pick</p> +<p>A bleäde or two o' grass, if she can vind em,</p> +<p>Vor tother cattle don't leäve much behind em.</p> +<p>Zoo in the evenèn, we do put a lock</p> +<p>O' nice fresh grass avore the wicket;</p> +<p>An' she do come at vive or zix o'clock,</p> +<p>As constant as the zun, to pick it.</p> +<p>An' then, bezides the cow, why we do let</p> +<p>Our geese run out among the emmet hills;</p> +<p>An' then when we do pluck em, we do get</p> +<p>Vor zeäle zome veathers an' zome quills;</p> +<p>An' in the winter we do fat em well,</p> +<p>An' car em to the market vor to zell</p> +<p>To gentlevo'ks, vor we don't oft avvword</p> +<p>To put a goose a-top ov ouer bwoard;</p> +<p>But we do get our feäst,—vor we be eäble</p> +<p>To clap the giblets up a-top o' teäble.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I don't know o' many better things,</p> +<p>Than geese's heads and gizzards, lags an' wings.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page102" id="page102"></a><span class="left">[page 102]</span> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then, when I ha' nothèn else to do,</p> +<p>Why I can teäke my hook an' gloves, an' goo</p> +<p>To cut a lot o' vuzz and briars</p> +<p>Vor hetèn ovens, or vor lightèn viers.</p> +<p>An' when the childern be too young to eärn</p> +<p>A penny, they can g'out in zunny weather,</p> +<p>An' run about, an' get together</p> +<p>A bag o' cow-dung vor to burn.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis handy to live near a common;</p> +<p>But I've a-zeed, an' I've a-zaid,</p> +<p>That if a poor man got a bit o' bread,</p> +<p>They'll try to teäke it vrom en.</p> +<p>But I wer twold back tother day,</p> +<p>That they be got into a way</p> +<p>O' lettèn bits o' groun' out to the poor.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, I do hope 'tis true, I'm sure;</p> +<p>An' I do hope that they will do it here,</p> +<p>Or I must goo to workhouse, I do fear.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + + +<a name="p102" id="p102"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>TWO FARMS IN WOONE.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Robert an' Thomas.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You'll lose your meäster soon, then, I do vind;</p> +<p>He's gwaïn to leäve his farm, as I do larn,</p> +<p>At Miëlmas; an' I be zorry vor'n.</p> +<p>What, is he then a little bit behind?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="page103" id="page103"></a><span class="left">[page 103]</span> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O no! at Miëlmas his time is up,</p> +<p>An' thik there sly wold fellow, Farmer Tup,</p> +<p>A-fearèn that he'd get a bit o' bread,</p> +<p>'V a-been an' took his farm here over's head.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How come the Squire to treat your meäster zoo?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, he an' meäster had a word or two.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Is Farmer Tup a-gwaïn to leäve his farm?</p> +<p>He han't a-got noo young woones vor to zwarm.</p> +<p>Poor over-reachèn man! why to be sure</p> +<p>He don't want all the farms in parish, do er?</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why ees, all ever he can come across,</p> +<p>Last year, you know, he got away the eäcre</p> +<p>Or two o' ground a-rented by the beäker,</p> +<p>An' what the butcher had to keep his hoss;</p> +<p>An' vo'k do beänhan' now, that meäster's lot</p> +<p>Will be a-drowd along wi' what he got.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>That's it. In theäse here pleäce there used to be</p> +<p>Eight farms avore they wer a-drowd together,</p> +<p>An' eight farm-housen. Now how many be there?</p> +<p>Why after this, you know there'll be but dree.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' now they don't imploy so many men</p> +<p>Upon the land as work'd upon it then,</p> +<p>Vor all they midden crop it worse, nor stock it.</p> +<p>The lan'lord, to be sure, is into pocket;</p> +<p>Vor half the housen beën down, 'tis clear,</p> +<p>Don't cost so much to keep em up, a-near.</p><a name="page104" id="page104"></a><span class="left">[page 104]</span> +<p>But then the jobs o' work in wood an' morter</p> +<p>Do come I 'spose, you know, a little shorter;</p> +<p>An' many that wer little farmers then,</p> +<p>Be now a-come all down to leäb'rèn men;</p> +<p>An' many leäb'rèn men, wi' empty hands,</p> +<p>Do live lik' drones upon the worker's lands.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, if a young chap, woonce, had any wit</p> +<p>To try an' scrape together zome vew pound,</p> +<p>To buy some cows an' teäke a bit o' ground,</p> +<p>He mid become a farmer, bit by bit.</p> +<p>But, hang it! now the farms be all so big,</p> +<p>An' bits o' groun' so skeä'ce, woone got no scope;</p> +<p>If woone could seäve a poun', woone couldden hope</p> +<p>To keep noo live stock but a little pig.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why here wer vourteen men, zome years agoo,</p> +<p>A-kept a-drashèn half the winter drough;</p> +<p>An' now, woone's drashels be'n't a bit o' good.</p> +<p>They got machines to drashy wi', plague teäke em!</p> +<p>An' he that vu'st vound out the way to meäke em,</p> +<p>I'd drash his busy zides vor'n if I could!</p> +<p>Avore they took away our work, they ought</p> +<p>To meäke us up the bread our leäbour bought.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>They hadden need meäke poor men's leäbour less,</p> +<p>Vor work a'ready is uncommon skeä'ce.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! Robert! times be badish vor the poor;</p> +<p>An' worse will come, I be a-fear'd, if Moore</p> +<p>In theäse year's almanick do tell us right.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<h5>ROBERT.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why then we sartainly must starve. Good night!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page105" id="page105"></a><span class="left">[page 105]</span> + +<h3>WINTER.</h3> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/rule0-100.png" width="100" height="17" alt="rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<h4>THE VROST.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Come, run up hwome wi' us to night,</p> + <p>Athirt the vield a-vroze so white,</p> + <p>Where vrosty sheädes do lie below</p> + <p>The winter ricks a-tipp'd wi' snow,</p> + <p>An' lively birds, wi' waggèn taïls,</p> + <p>Do hop upon the icy raïls,</p> + <p>An' rime do whiten all the tops</p> + <p>O' bush an' tree in hedge an' copse,</p> + <p class="i2">In wind's a-cuttèn keen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Come, maïdens, come: the groun's a-vroze</p> + <p>Too hard to-night to spweil your clothes.</p> + <p>You got noo pools to waddle drough,</p> + <p>Nor clay a-pullèn off your shoe:</p> + <p>An' we can trig ye at the zide,</p> + <p>To keep ye up if you do slide:</p> + <p>Zoo while there's neither wet nor mud,</p> + <p>'S the time to run an' warm your blood,</p> + <p class="i2">In winds a-cuttèn keen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor young men's hearts an' maïden's eyes</p> + <p>Don't vreeze below the cwoldest skies,</p> + <p>While they in twice so keen a blast</p> + <p>Can wag their brisk lim's twice so vast!</p><a name="page106" id="page106"></a><span class="left">[page 106]</span> + <p>Though vier-light, a-flick'rèn red</p> + <p>Drough vrosty window-peänes, do spread</p> + <p>Vrom wall to wall, vrom he'th to door,</p> + <p>Vor us to goo an' zit avore,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom winds a-cuttèn keen.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p106" id="p106"></a> + +<h4>A BIT O' FUN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We thought you woulden leäve us quite</p> + <p>So soon as what you did last night;</p> + <p>Our fun jist got up to a height</p> + <p class="i2">As you about got hwome.</p> + <p>The friskèn chaps did skip about,</p> + <p>An' cou'se the maïdens in an' out,</p> + <p>A-meäkèn such a randy-rout,</p> + <p class="i2">You coulden hear a drum.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Tom, a-springèn after Bet</p> + <p>Blind-vwolded, whizz'd along, an' het</p> + <p>Poor Grammer's zide, an' overzet</p> + <p class="i2">Her chair, at blind-man's buff;</p> + <p>An' she, poor soul, as she did vall,</p> + <p>Did show her snags o' teeth an' squall,</p> + <p>An' what, she zaid, wer wo'se than all,</p> + <p class="i2">She shatter'd all her snuff.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Bet, a-hoppèn back vor fear</p> + <p>O' Tom, struck uncle zomewhere near,</p> + <p>An' meäde his han' spill all his beer</p> + <p class="i2">Right down her poll an' back;</p> + <p>An' Joe, in middle o' the din,</p> + <p>Slipt out a bit, an' soon come in</p> + <p>Wi' all below his dapper chin</p> + <p class="i2">A-jumpèn in a zack.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' in a twinklèn tother chaps</p> + <p>Jist hung en to a crook wi' straps,</p><a name="page107" id="page107"></a><span class="left">[page 107]</span> + <p>An' meäde en bear the maïdens' slaps,</p> + <p class="i2">An' prickens wi' a pin.</p> + <p>An' Jim, a-catchèn Poll, poor chap,</p> + <p>In back-house in the dark, vell slap</p> + <p>Athirt a tub o' barm,—a trap</p> + <p class="i2">She set to catch en in.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then we zot down out o' breath,</p> + <p>An' meäde a circle roun' the he'th,</p> + <p>A-keepèn up our harmless me'th,</p> + <p class="i2">Till supper wer a-come.</p> + <p>An' after we'd a-had zome prog,</p> + <p>All tother chaps begun to jog,</p> + <p>Wi' sticks to lick a thief or dog,</p> + <p class="i2">To zee the maïdens hwome.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p107" id="p107"></a> + +<h4>FANNYS BE'TH-DAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>How merry, wi' the cider cup,</p> + <p>We kept poor Fanny's be'th-day up!</p> + <p>An' how our busy tongues did run</p> + <p>An' hands did wag, a-meäkèn fun!</p> + <p>What plaÿsome anticks zome ō's done!</p> + <p class="i2">An' how, a-reelèn roun' an' roun',</p> + <p class="i2">We beät the merry tuèn down,</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The maïdens' eyes o' black an' blue</p> + <p>Did glisten lik' the mornèn dew;</p> + <p>An' while the cider-mug did stand</p> + <p>A-hissèn by the bleäzèn brand,</p> + <p>An' uncle's pipe wer in his hand,</p> + <p class="i2">How little he or we did think</p> + <p class="i2">How peäle the zettèn stars did blink</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p></div> + + <a name="page108" id="page108"></a><span class="left">[page 108]</span> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>An' Fanny's last young <i>teen</i> begun,</p> + <p>Poor maïd, wi' thik day's risèn zun,</p> + <p>An' we all wish'd her many mwore</p> + <p>Long years wi' happiness in store;</p> + <p>An' as she went an' stood avore</p> + <p class="i2">The vier, by her father's zide,</p> + <p class="i2">Her mother dropp'd a tear o' pride</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then we did all kinds o' tricks</p> + <p>Wi' han'kerchiefs, an' strings, an' sticks:</p> + <p>An' woone did try to overmatch</p> + <p>Another wi' zome cunnèn catch,</p> + <p>While tothers slyly tried to hatch</p> + <p class="i2">Zome geäme; but yet, by chap an' maïd.</p> + <p class="i2">The dancèn wer the mwost injaÿ'd,</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The briskest chap ov all the lot</p> + <p>Wer Tom, that danc'd hizzelf so hot,</p> + <p>He doff'd his cwoat an' jump'd about,</p> + <p>Wi' girt new shirt-sleeves all a-strout,</p> + <p>Among the maïdens screamèn out,</p> + <p class="i2">A-thinkèn, wi' his strides an' stamps,</p> + <p class="i2">He'd squot their veet wi' his girt clamps,</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Then up jump'd uncle vrom his chair,</p> + <p>An' pull'd out aunt to meäke a peäir;</p> + <p>An' off he zet upon his tooe,</p> + <p>So light's the best that beät a shoe,</p> + <p>Wi' aunt a-crièn "Let me goo:"</p> + <p class="i2">While all ov us did laugh so loud,</p> + <p class="i2">We drown'd the tuèn o' the croud,</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A-comèn out o' passage, Nan,</p> + <p>Wi' pipes an' cider in her han',</p><a name="page109" id="page109"></a><span class="left">[page 109]</span> + <p>An' watchèn uncle up so sprack,</p> + <p>Vorgot her veet, an' vell down smack</p> + <p>Athirt the house-dog's shaggy back,</p> + <p class="i2">That wer in passage vor a snooze,</p> + <p class="i2">Beyond the reach o' dancers' shoes,</p> + <p class="i4">While music wer a-soundèn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p109" id="p109"></a> + +<h4>WHAT DICK AN' I DID.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Last week the Browns ax'd nearly all</p> + <p class="i2">The naïghbours to a randy,</p> + <p>An' left us out o't, girt an' small,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor all we liv'd so handy;</p> + <p>An' zoo I zaid to Dick, "We'll trudge,</p> + <p class="i2">When they be in their fun, min;</p> + <p>An' car up zome'hat to the rudge,</p> + <p class="i2">An' jis' stop up the tun, min."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo, wi' the ladder vrom the rick,</p> + <p class="i2">We stole towards the house,</p> + <p>An' crope in roun' behind en, lik'</p> + <p class="i2">A cat upon a mouse.</p> + <p>Then, lookèn roun', Dick whisper'd "How</p> + <p class="i2">Is theäse job to be done, min:</p> + <p>Why we do want a faggot now,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor stoppèn up the tun, min."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>"Stan' still," I answer'd; "I'll teäke ceäre</p> + <p class="i2">O' that: why dussen zee</p> + <p>The little grindèn stwone out there,</p> + <p class="i2">Below the apple-tree?</p> + <p>Put up the ladder; in a crack</p> + <p class="i2">Shalt zee that I wull run, min,</p> + <p>An' teäke en up upon my back,</p> + <p class="i2">An' soon stop up the tun, min."</p></div> + +<a name="page110" id="page110"></a><span class="left">[page 110]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo up I clomb upon the thatch,</p> + <p class="i2">An' clapp'd en on; an' slided</p> + <p>Right down ageän, an' run drough hatch,</p> + <p class="i2">Behind the hedge, an' hided.</p> + <p>The vier that wer clear avore,</p> + <p class="i2">Begun to spweil their fun, min;</p> + <p>The smoke all roll'd toward the door,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor I'd a-stopp'd the tun, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The maïdens cough'd or stopp'd their breath,</p> + <p class="i2">The men did hauk an' spet;</p> + <p>The wold vo'k bundled out from he'th</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' eyes a-runnèn wet.</p> + <p>"'T'ool choke us all," the wold man cried,</p> + <p class="i2">"Whatever's to be done, min?</p> + <p>Why zome'hat is a-vell inside</p> + <p class="i2">O' chimney drough the tun, min."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Then out they scamper'd all, vull run,</p> + <p class="i2">An' out cried Tom, "I think</p> + <p>The grindèn-stwone is up on tun,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor I can zee the wink.</p> + <p>This is some kindness that the vo'k</p> + <p class="i2">At Woodley have a-done, min;</p> + <p>I wish I had em here, I'd poke</p> + <p class="i2">Their numskulls down the tun, min."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Then off he zet, an' come so quick</p> + <p class="i2">'S a lamplighter, an' brote</p> + <p>The little ladder in vrom rick,</p> + <p class="i2">To clear the chimney's droat.</p> + <p>While I, a-chucklèn at the joke,</p> + <p class="i2">A-slided down, to run, min,</p> + <p>To hidelock, had a-left the vo'k</p> + <p class="i2">As bad as na'r a tun, min.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page111" id="page111"></a><span class="left">[page 111]</span> + +<h4>GRAMMER'S SHOES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>I do seem to zee Grammer as she did use</p> + <p>Vor to show us, at Chris'mas, her weddèn shoes,</p> + <p>An' her flat spreadèn bonnet so big an' roun'</p> + <p>As a girt pewter dish a-turn'd upside down;</p> + <p class="i6">When we all did draw near</p> + <p class="i6">In a cluster to hear</p> + <p>O' the merry wold soul how she did use</p> + <p>To walk an' to dance wi' her high-heel shoes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She'd a gown wi' girt flowers lik' hollyhocks,</p> + <p>An' zome stockèns o' gramfer's a-knit wì' clocks,</p> + <p>An' a token she kept under lock an' key,—</p> + <p>A small lock ov his heäir off avore 't wer grey.</p> + <p class="i6">An' her eyes wer red,</p> + <p class="i6">An' she shook her head,</p> + <p>When we'd all a-look'd at it, an' she did use</p> + <p>To lock it away wi' her weddèn shoes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She could tell us such teäles about heavy snows,</p> + <p>An' o' raïns an' o' floods when the waters rose</p> + <p>All up into the housen, an' carr'd awoy</p> + <p>All the bridge wi' a man an' his little bwoy;</p> + <p class="i6">An' o' vog an' vrost,</p> + <p class="i6">An' o' vo'k a-lost,</p> + <p>An' o' peärties at Chris'mas, when she did use</p> + <p>Vor to walk hwome wi' gramfer in high-heel shoes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ev'ry Chris'mas she lik'd vor the bells to ring,</p> + <p>An' to have in the zingers to heär em zing</p> + <p>The wold carols she heärd many years a-gone,</p> + <p>While she warm'd em zome cider avore the bron';</p> + <p class="i6">An' she'd look an' smile</p> + <p class="i6">At our dancèn, while</p> + <p>She did tell how her friends now a-gone did use</p> + <p>To reely wi' her in their high-heel shoes.</p></div> + +<a name="page112" id="page112"></a><span class="left">[page 112]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! an' how she did like vor to deck wi' red</p> + <p>Holly-berries the window an' wold clock's head,</p> + <p>An' the clavy wi' boughs o' some bright green leaves,</p> + <p>An' to meäke twoast an' eäle upon Chris'mas eves;</p> + <p class="i6">But she's now, drough greäce,</p> + <p class="i6">In a better pleäce,</p> + <p>Though we'll never vorget her, poor soul, nor lose</p> + <p>Gramfer's token ov heäir, nor her weddèn shoes.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p112" id="p112"></a> + +<h4>ZUNSHEEN IN THE WINTER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The winter clouds, that long did hide</p> + <p>The zun, be all a-blown azide,</p> + <p>An' in the light, noo longer dim,</p> + <p>Do sheen the ivy that do clim'</p> + <p>The tower's zide an' elem's stim;</p> + <p class="i2">An' holmen bushes, in between</p> + <p class="i2">The leafless thorns, be bright an' green</p> + <p class="i4">To zunsheen o' the winter.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The trees, that yesterday did twist</p> + <p>In wind's a-drevèn raïn an' mist,</p> + <p>Do now drow sheädes out, long an' still;</p> + <p>But roarèn watervals do vill</p> + <p>Their whirlèn pools below the hill,</p> + <p class="i2">Where, wi' her païl upon the stile,</p> + <p class="i2">A-gwaïn a-milkèn Jeäne do smile</p> + <p class="i4">To zunsheen o' the winter.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The birds do sheäke, wi' plaÿsome skips,</p> + <p>The raïn-drops off the bushes' tips,</p> + <p>A-chirripèn wi' merry sound;</p> + <p>While over all the grassy ground</p> + <p>The wind's a-whirlèn round an' round</p> + <p class="i2">So softly, that the day do seem</p> + <p class="i2">Mwore lik' a zummer in a dream,</p> + <p class="i4">Than zunsheen in the winter.</p></div> + +<a name="page113" id="page113"></a><span class="left">[page 113]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The wold vo'k now do meet abrode,</p> + <p>An' tell o' winter's they've a-know'd;</p> + <p>When snow wer long above the groun',</p> + <p>Or floods broke all the bridges down,</p> + <p>Or wind unheal'd a half the town,—</p> + <p class="i2">The teäles o' wold times long a-gone,</p> + <p class="i2">But ever dear to think upon,</p> + <p class="i4">The zunsheen o' their winter.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor now to them noo brook can run,</p> + <p>Noo hill can feäce the winter zun,</p> + <p>Noo leaves can vall, noo flow'rs can feäde,</p> + <p>Noo snow can hide the grasses bleäde,</p> + <p>Noo vrost can whiten in the sheäde,</p> + <p class="i2">Noo day can come, but what do bring</p> + <p class="i2">To mind ageän their early spring,</p> + <p class="i4">That's now a-turn'd to winter.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p113" id="p113"></a> + +<h4>THE WEEPEN LEADY.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When, leäte o' nights, above the green</p> + <p>By thik wold house, the moon do sheen,</p> + <p>A leädy there, a-hangèn low</p> + <p>Her head, 's a-walkèn to an' fro</p> + <p>In robes so white's the driven snow,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' woone eärm down, while woone do rest</p> + <p class="i2">All lily-white athirt the breast</p> + <p class="i4">O' thik poor weepèn leädy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The whirlèn wind an' whis'lèn squall</p> + <p>Do sheäke the ivy by the wall,</p> + <p>An' meäke the plyèn tree-tops rock,</p> + <p>But never ruffle her white frock;</p> + <p>An' slammèn door an' rattlèn lock,</p> + <p class="i2">That in thik empty house do sound,</p> + <p class="i2">Do never seem to meäke look round</p> + <p class="i4">Thik ever downcast leädy.</p></div> + +<a name="page114" id="page114"></a><span class="left">[page 114]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A leädy, as the teäle do goo,</p> + <p>That woonce liv'd there, an' lov'd too true,</p> + <p>Wer by a young man cast azide.</p> + <p>A mother sad, but not a bride;</p> + <p>An' then her father, in his pride</p> + <p class="i2">An' anger, offer'd woone o' two</p> + <p class="i2">Vull bitter things to undergoo</p> + <p class="i4">To thik poor weepèn leädy:</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>That she herzelf should leäve his door,</p> + <p>To darken it ageän noo mwore;</p> + <p>Or that her little plaÿsome chile,</p> + <p>A-zent away a thousand mile,</p> + <p>Should never meet her eyes to smile</p> + <p class="i2">An' plaÿ ageän; till she, in sheäme,</p> + <p class="i2">Should die an' leäve a tarnish'd neäme,</p> + <p class="i4">A sad vorseäken leädy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>"Let me be lost," she cried, "the while</p> + <p>I do but know vor my poor chile;"</p> + <p>An' left the hwome ov all her pride,</p> + <p>To wander drough the worold wide,</p> + <p>Wi' grief that vew but she ha' tried:</p> + <p class="i2">An' lik' a flow'r a blow ha' broke,</p> + <p class="i2">She wither'd wi' the deadly stroke,</p> + <p class="i4">An' died a weepèn leädy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' she do keep a-comèn on</p> + <p>To zee her father dead an' gone,</p> + <p>As if her soul could have noo rest</p> + <p>Avore her teäry cheäk's a-prest</p> + <p>By his vorgivèn kiss. Zoo blest</p> + <p class="i2">Be they that can but live in love,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vind a pleäce o' rest above</p> + <p class="i4">Unlik' the weepèn leädy.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page115" id="page115"></a><span class="left">[page 115]</span> + +<h4>THE HAPPY DAYS WHEN I WER YOUNG.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In happy days when I wer young,</p> +<p>An' had noo ho, an' laugh'd an' zung,</p> +<p>The maïd wer merry by her cow,</p> +<p>An' men wer merry wi' the plough;</p> +<p>But never talk'd, at hwome or out</p> +<p>O' doors, o' what's a-talk'd about</p> +<p>By many now,—that to despise</p> +<p>The laws o' God an' man is wise.</p> +<p>Wi' daïly health, an' daïly bread,</p> +<p>An' thatch above their shelter'd head,</p> +<p>They velt noo fear, an' had noo spite,</p> +<p>To keep their eyes awake at night;</p> +<p>But slept in peace wi' God on high</p> +<p>An' man below, an' fit to die.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O' grassy meäd an' woody nook,</p> +<p>An' waters o' the windèn brook,</p> +<p>That sprung below the vu'st dark sky</p> +<p>That raïn'd, to run till seas be dry;</p> +<p>An' hills a-stannèn on while all</p> +<p>The works o' man do rise an' vall;</p> +<p>An' trees the toddlèn child do vind</p> +<p>At vu'st, an' leäve at last behind;</p> +<p>I wish that you could now unvwold</p> +<p>The peace an' jäy o' times o' wold;</p> +<p>An' tell, when death do still my tongue,</p> +<p>O' happy days when I wer young.</p> +<p>Vrom where wer all this venom brought,</p> +<p>To kill our hope an' taïnt our thought?</p> +<p>Clear brook! thy water coulden bring</p> +<p>Such venom vrom thy rocky spring;</p> +<p>Nor could it come in zummer blights,</p> +<p>Or reävèn storms o' winter nights,</p><a name="page116" id="page116"></a><span class="left">[page 116]</span> +<p>Or in the cloud an' viry stroke</p> +<p>O' thunder that do split the woak.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O valley dear! I wish that I</p> +<p>'D a-liv'd in former times, to die</p> +<p>Wi' all the happy souls that trod</p> +<p>Thy turf in peäce, an' died to God;</p> +<p>Or gone wi' them that laugh'd an' zung</p> +<p>In happy days when I wer young!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p116" id="p116"></a> + +<h4>IN THE STILLNESS O' THE NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov all the housen o' the pleäce,</p> + <p class="i2">There's woone where I do like to call</p> + <p class="i2">By day or night the best ov all,</p> + <p>To zee my Fanny's smilèn feäce;</p> + <p>An' there the steätely trees do grow,</p> + <p>A-rockèn as the win' do blow,</p> + <p>While she do sweetly sleep below,</p> + <p class="i2">In the stillness o' the night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there, at evenèn, I do goo</p> + <p class="i2">A-hoppèn over geätes an' bars,</p> + <p class="i2">By twinklèn light o' winter stars,</p> + <p>When snow do clumper to my shoe;</p> + <p>An' zometimes we do slyly catch</p> + <p>A chat an hour upon the stratch,</p> + <p>An' peärt wi' whispers at the hatch</p> + <p class="i2">In the stillness o' the night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zometimes she do goo to zome</p> + <p class="i2">Young naïghbours' housen down the pleäce,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I do get a clue to treäce</p> + <p>Her out, an' goo to zee her hwome;</p> + <p>An' I do wish a vield a mile,</p> + <p>As she do sweetly chat an' smile</p> + <p>Along the drove, or at the stile,</p> + <p class="i2">In the stillness o' the night.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page117" id="page117"></a><span class="left">[page 117]</span> + +<h4>THE SETTLE AN' THE GIRT WOOD VIRE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! naïghbour John, since I an' you</p> + <p>Wer youngsters, ev'ry thing is new.</p> + <p>My father's vires wer all o' logs</p> + <p>O' cleft-wood, down upon the dogs</p> + <p>Below our clavy, high, an' brode</p> + <p>Enough to teäke a cart an' lwoad,</p> + <p>Where big an' little all zot down</p> + <p>At bwoth zides, an' bevore, all roun'.</p> + <p>An' when I zot among em, I</p> + <p>Could zee all up ageän the sky</p> + <p>Drough chimney, where our vo'k did hitch</p> + <p>The zalt-box an' the beäcon-vlitch,</p> + <p>An' watch the smoke on out o' vier,</p> + <p>All up an' out o' tun, an' higher.</p> + <p>An' there wer beäcon up on rack,</p> + <p>An' pleätes an' dishes on the tack;</p> + <p>An' roun' the walls wer heärbs a-stowed</p> + <p>In peäpern bags, an' blathers blowed.</p> + <p>An' just above the clavy-bwoard</p> + <p>Wer father's spurs, an' gun, an' sword;</p> + <p>An' there wer then, our girtest pride,</p> + <p>The settle by the vier zide.</p> + <p class="i2">Ah! gi'e me, if I wer a squier,</p> + <p class="i2">The settle an' the girt wood vier.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But they've a-wall'd up now wi' bricks</p> + <p>The vier pleäce vor dogs an' sticks,</p> + <p>An' only left a little hole</p> + <p>To teäke a little greäte o' coal,</p> + <p>So small that only twos or drees</p> + <p>Can jist push in an' warm their knees.</p> + <p>An' then the carpets they do use,</p> + <p>Bēn't fit to tread wi' ouer shoes;</p><a name="page118" id="page118"></a><span class="left">[page 118]</span> + <p>An' chairs an' couches be so neat,</p> + <p>You mussen teäke em vor a seat:</p> + <p>They be so fine, that vo'k mus' pleäce</p> + <p>All over em an' outer ceäse,</p> + <p>An' then the cover, when 'tis on,</p> + <p>Is still too fine to loll upon.</p> + <p class="i2">Ah! gi'e me, if I wer a squier,</p> + <p class="i2">The settle an' the girt wood vier.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Carpets, indeed! You coulden hurt</p> + <p>The stwone-vloor wi' a little dirt;</p> + <p>Vor what wer brought in doors by men,</p> + <p>The women soon mopp'd out ageän.</p> + <p>Zoo we did come vrom muck an' mire,</p> + <p>An' walk in straïght avore the vier;</p> + <p>But now, a man's a-kept at door</p> + <p>At work a pirty while, avore</p> + <p>He's screäp'd an' rubb'd, an' cleän and fit</p> + <p>To goo in where his wife do zit.</p> + <p>An' then if he should have a whiff</p> + <p>In there, 'twould only breed a miff:</p> + <p>He cānt smoke there, vor smoke woon't goo</p> + <p>'Ithin the footy little flue.</p> + <p class="i2">Ah! gi'e me, if I wer a squier,</p> + <p class="i2">The settle an' the girt wood vier.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p118" id="p118"></a> + +<h4>THE CARTER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O, I be a carter, wi' my whip</p> + <p class="i2">A-smackèn loud, as by my zide,</p> + <p>Up over hill, an' down the dip,</p> + <p class="i2">The heavy lwoad do slowly ride.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do haul in all the crops,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I do bring in vuzz vrom down;</p> + <p>An' I do goo vor wood to copse,</p> + <p class="i2">An' car the corn an' straw to town.</p></div> + +<a name="page119" id="page119"></a><span class="left">[page 119]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do goo vor lime, an' bring</p> + <p class="i2">Hwome cider wi' my sleek-heäir'd team,</p> + <p>An' smack my limber whip an' zing,</p> + <p class="i2">While all their bells do gaïly cheeme.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I do always know the pleäce</p> + <p class="i2">To gi'e the hosses breath, or drug;</p> + <p>An' ev'ry hoss do know my feäce,</p> + <p class="i2">An' mind my '<i>mether ho</i>! an' <i>whug</i>!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' merry haÿ-meäkers do ride</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom vield in zummer wi' their prongs,</p> + <p>In my blue waggon, zide by zide</p> + <p class="i2">Upon the reäves, a-zingèn zongs.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the vrost do catch the stream,</p> + <p class="i2">An' oves wi' icicles be hung,</p> + <p>My pantèn hosses' breath do steam</p> + <p class="i2">In white-grass'd vields, a-haulèn dung.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' mine's the waggon fit vor lwoads,</p> + <p class="i2">An' mine be lwoads to cut a rout;</p> + <p>An' mine's a team, in routy rwoads,</p> + <p class="i2">To pull a lwoaded waggon out.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A zull is nothèn when do come</p> + <p class="i2">Behind their lags; an' they do teäke</p> + <p>A roller as they would a drum,</p> + <p class="i2">An' harrow as they would a reäke.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>O! I be a carter, wi' my whip</p> + <p class="i2">A-smackèn loud, as by my zide,</p> + <p>Up over hill, an' down the dip,</p> + <p class="i2">The heavy lwoad do slowly ride.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page120" id="page120"></a><span class="left">[page 120]</span> + +<h4>CHRIS'MAS INVITATION.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come down to-morrow night; an' mind,</p> +<p>Don't leäve thy fiddle-bag behind;</p> +<p>We'll sheäke a lag, an' drink a cup</p> +<p>O' eäle, to keep wold Chris'mas up.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' let thy sister teäke thy eärm,</p> +<p>The walk won't do her any harm;</p> +<p>There's noo dirt now to spweil her frock,</p> +<p>The ground's a-vroze so hard's a rock.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You won't meet any stranger's feäce,</p> +<p>But only naïghbours o' the pleäce,</p> +<p>An' Stowe, an' Combe; an' two or dree</p> +<p>Vrom uncle's up at Rookery.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' thou wu'lt vind a rwosy feäce,</p> +<p>An' peäir ov eyes so black as sloos,</p> +<p>The prettiest woones in all the pleäce,—</p> +<p>I'm sure I needen tell thee whose.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We got a back-bran', dree girt logs</p> +<p>So much as dree ov us can car;</p> +<p>We'll put em up athirt the dogs,</p> +<p>An' meäke a vier to the bar.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' ev'ry woone shall tell his teäle,</p> +<p>An' ev'ry woone shall zing his zong,</p> +<p>An' ev'ry woone wull drink his eäle</p> +<p>To love an' frien'ship all night long.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We'll snap the tongs, we'll have a ball,</p> +<p>We'll sheäke the house, we'll lift the ruf,</p> +<p>We'll romp an' meäke the maïdens squall,</p> +<p>A catchèn o'm at blind-man's buff.</p></div> + +<a name="page121" id="page121"></a><span class="left">[page 121]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo come to-morrow night; an' mind,</p> +<p>Don't leäve thy fiddle-bag behind;</p> +<p>We'll sheäke a lag, an' drink a cup</p> +<p>O' eäle, to keep wold Chris'mas up.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p121" id="p121"></a> + +<h4>KEEPEN UP O' CHRIS'MAS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zoo you didden come athirt,</p> + <p>To have zome fun last night: how wer't?</p> + <p>Vor we'd a-work'd wi' all our might</p> + <p>To scour the iron things up bright,</p> + <p>An' brush'd an' scrubb'd the house all drough;</p> + <p>An' brought in vor a brand, a plock</p> + <p>O' wood so big's an uppèn-stock,</p> + <p>An' hung a bough o' misseltoo,</p> + <p>An' ax'd a merry friend or two,</p> + <p class="i2">To keepèn up o' Chris'mas.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there wer wold an' young; an' Bill,</p> + <p>Soon after dark, stalk'd up vrom mill.</p> + <p>An' when he wer a-comèn near,</p> + <p>He whissled loud vor me to hear;</p> + <p>Then roun' my head my frock I roll'd,</p> + <p>An' stood in orcha'd like a post,</p> + <p>To meäke en think I wer a ghost.</p> + <p>But he wer up to't, an' did scwold</p> + <p>To vind me stannèn in the cwold,</p> + <p class="i2">A keepèn up o' Chris'mas.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We plaÿ'd at forfeits, an' we spun</p> + <p>The trencher roun', an' meäde such fun!</p> + <p>An' had a geäme o' dree-ceärd loo,</p> + <p>An' then begun to hunt the shoe.</p> + <p>An' all the wold vo'k zittèn near,</p> + <p>A-chattèn roun' the vier pleäce,</p> + <p>Did smile in woone another's feäce.</p><a name="page122" id="page122"></a><span class="left">[page 122]</span> + <p>An' sheäke right hands wi' hearty cheer,</p> + <p>An' let their left hands spill their beer,</p> + <p class="i2">A keepèn up o' Chris'mas.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p122" id="p122"></a> + +<h4>ZITTEN OUT THE WOLD YEAR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Why, raïn or sheen, or blow or snow,</p> + <p class="i2">I zaid, if I could stand so's,</p> + <p>I'd come, vor all a friend or foe,</p> + <p class="i2">To sheäke ye by the hand, so's;</p> + <p>An' spend, wi' kinsvo'k near an' dear,</p> + <p>A happy evenèn, woonce a year,</p> + <p class="i6">A-zot wi' me'th</p> + <p class="i6">Avore the he'th</p> + <p class="i2">To zee the new year in, so's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There's Jim an' Tom, a-grown the size</p> + <p class="i2">O' men, girt lusty chaps, so's,</p> + <p>An' Fanny wi' her sloo-black eyes,</p> + <p class="i2">Her mother's very dap's, so's;</p> + <p>An' little Bill, so brown's a nut,</p> + <p>An' Poll a gigglèn little slut,</p> + <p class="i6">I hope will shoot</p> + <p class="i6">Another voot</p> + <p class="i2">The year that's comèn in, so's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there, upon his mother's knee,</p> + <p class="i2">So peärt do look about, so's,</p> + <p>The little woone ov all, to zee</p> + <p class="i2">His vu'st wold year goo out, so's</p> + <p>An' zoo mid God bless all o's still,</p> + <p>Gwaïn up or down along the hill,</p> + <p class="i6">To meet in glee</p> + <p class="i6">Ageän to zee</p> + <p class="i2">A happy new year in, so's.</p></div> + +<a name="page123" id="page123"></a><span class="left">[page 123]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The wold clock's han' do softly steal</p> + <p class="i2">Up roun' the year's last hour, so's;</p> + <p>Zoo let the han'-bells ring a peal,</p> + <p class="i2">Lik' them a-hung in tow'r, so's.</p> + <p>Here, here be two vor Tom, an' two</p> + <p>Vor Fanny, an' a peäir vor you;</p> + <p class="i6">We'll meäke em swing,</p> + <p class="i6">An' meäke em ring,</p> + <p class="i2">The merry new year in, so's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Tom, mind your time there; you be wrong.</p> + <p class="i2">Come, let your bells all sound, so's:</p> + <p>A little clwoser, Poll; ding, dong!</p> + <p class="i2">There, now 'tis right all round, so's.</p> + <p>The clock's a-strikèn twelve, d'ye hear?</p> + <p>Ting, ting, ding, dong! Farewell, wold year!</p> + <p class="i6">'Tis gone, 'tis gone!—</p> + <p class="i6">Goo on, goo on,</p> + <p class="i2">An' ring the new woone in, so's!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p123" id="p123"></a> + +<h4>WOAK WER GOOD ENOUGH WOONCE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees: now mahogany's the goo,</p> +<p>An' good wold English woak won't do.</p> +<p>I wish vo'k always mid avvword</p> +<p>Hot meals upon a woakèn bwoard,</p> +<p>As good as thik that took my cup</p> +<p>An' trencher all my growèn up.</p> +<p>Ah! I do mind en in the hall,</p> +<p>A-reachèn all along the wall,</p> +<p>Wi' us at father's end, while tother</p> +<p>Did teäke the maïdens wi' their mother;</p> +<p>An' while the risèn steam did spread</p> +<p>In curlèn clouds up over head,</p> +<p>Our mouths did wag, an' tongues did run,</p> +<p>To meäke the maïdens laugh o' fun.</p></div> + +<a name="page124" id="page124"></a><span class="left">[page 124]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A woaken bedstead, black an' bright,</p> +<p>Did teäke my weary bwones at night,</p> +<p>Where I could stratch an' roll about</p> +<p>Wi' little fear o' vallèn out;</p> +<p>An' up above my head a peäir</p> +<p>Ov ugly heads a-carv'd did steäre,</p> +<p>An' grin avore a bright vull moon</p> +<p>A'most enough to frighten woone.</p> +<p>An' then we had, vor cwoats an' frocks,</p> +<p>Woak cwoffers wi' their rusty locks</p> +<p>An' neämes in naïls, a-left behind</p> +<p>By kinsvo'k dead an' out o' mind;</p> +<p>Zoo we did get on well enough</p> +<p>Wi' things a-meäde ov English stuff.</p> +<p>But then, you know, a woaken stick</p> +<p>Wer cheap, vor woaken trees wer thick.</p> +<p>When poor wold Gramfer Green wer young,</p> +<p>He zaid a squirrel mid a-sprung</p> +<p>Along the dell, vrom tree to tree,</p> +<p>Vrom Woodcomb all the way to Lea;</p> +<p>An' woak wer all vo'k did avvword,</p> +<p>Avore his time, vor bed or bwoard.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p124" id="p124"></a> + +<h4>LULLABY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The rook's nest do rock on the tree-top</p> + <p>Where vew foes can stand;</p> + <p>The martin's is high, an' is deep</p> + <p>In the steep cliff o' zand.</p> + <p>But thou, love, a-sleepèn where vootsteps</p> + <p>Mid come to thy bed,</p> + <p>Hast father an' mother to watch thee</p> + <p>An' shelter thy head.</p> + <p class="i8">Lullaby, Lilybrow. Lie asleep;</p> + <p class="i8">Blest be thy rest.</p></div> + +<a name="page125" id="page125"></a><span class="left">[page 125]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' zome birds do keep under ruffèn</p> + <p>Their young vrom the storm,</p> + <p>An' zome wi' nest-hoodèns o' moss</p> + <p>And o' wool, do lie warm.</p> + <p>An' we wull look well to the houseruf</p> + <p>That o'er thee mid leäk,</p> + <p>An' the blast that mid beät on thy winder</p> + <p>Shall not smite thy cheäk.</p> + <p class="i8">Lullaby, Lilibrow. Lie asleep;</p> + <p class="i8">Blest be thy rest.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p125" id="p125"></a> + +<h4>MEARY-ANN'S CHILD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Meary-Ann wer alwone wi' her beäby in eärms,</p> + <p class="i2">In her house wi' the trees over head,</p> + <p>Vor her husban' wer out in the night an' the storms,</p> + <p class="i2">In his business a-tweilèn vor bread;</p> + <p>An' she, as the wind in the elems did roar,</p> + <p>Did grievy vor Robert all night out o' door.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' her kinsvo'k an' naï'bours did zay ov her chile,</p> + <p class="i4">(Under the high elem tree),</p> + <p>That a prettier never did babble or smile</p> + <p class="i2">Up o' top ov a proud mother's knee;</p> + <p>An' his mother did toss en, an' kiss en, an' call</p> + <p>En her darlèn, an' life, an' her hope, an' her all.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But she vound in the evenèn the chile werden well,</p> + <p class="i4">(Under the dark elem tree),</p> + <p>An' she thought she could gi'e all the worold to tell,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor a truth what his aïlèn mid be;</p> + <p>An' she thought o'en last in her praÿers at night,</p> + <p>An' she look'd at en last as she put out the light.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' she vound en grow wo'se in the dead o' the night,</p> + <p class="i4">(Under the dark elem tree),</p><a name="page126" id="page126"></a><span class="left">[page 126]</span> + <p>An' she press'd en ageän her warm bosom so tight,</p> + <p class="i2">An' she rock'd en so sorrowfully;</p> + <p>An' there laid a-nestlèn the poor little bwoy,</p> + <p>Till his struggles grew weak, an' his cries died awoy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' the moon wer a-sheenèn down into the pleäce,</p> + <p class="i4">(Under the dark elem tree),</p> + <p>An' his mother could zee that his lips an' his feäce</p> + <p class="i2">Wer so white as cleän axen could be;</p> + <p>An' her tongue wer a-tied an' her still heart did zwell,</p> + <p>Till her senses come back wi' the vu'st tear that vell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Never mwore can she veel his warm feäce in her breast,</p> + <p class="i4">(Under the green elem tree),</p> + <p>Vor his eyes be a-shut, an' his hands be at rest,</p> + <p class="i2">An' he's now vrom his païn a-zet free;</p> + <p>Vor his soul, we do know, is to heaven a-vled,</p> + <p>Where noo païn is a-known, an' noo tears be a-shed.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<a name="p126" id="p126"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>FATHER COME HWOME.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John, Wife, an' Child.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O mother, mother! be the teäties done?</p> +<p>Here's father now a-comèn down the track,</p> +<p>Hes got his nitch o' wood upon his back,</p> +<p>An' such a speäker in en! I'll be bound,</p> +<p>He's long enough to reach vrom ground</p> +<p>Up to the top ov ouer tun;</p> +<p>'Tis jist the very thing vor Jack an' I</p> +<p>To goo a-colepecksèn wi' by an' by.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page127" id="page127"></a><span class="left">[page 127]</span> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The teäties must be ready pretty nigh;</p> +<p>Do teäke woone up upon the fork' an' try.</p> +<p>The ceäke upon the vier, too, 's a-burnèn,</p> +<p>I be afeärd: do run an' zee, an' turn en.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, mother! here I be woonce mwore, at hwome.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! I be very glad you be a-come.</p> +<p>You be a-tired an' cwold enough, I s'pose;</p> +<p>Zit down an' rest your bwones, an' warm your nose.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why I be nippy: what is there to eat?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Your supper's nearly ready. I've a got</p> +<p>Some teäties here a-doèn in the pot;</p> +<p>I wish wi' all my heart I had some meat.</p> +<p>I got a little ceäke too, here, a-beäken o'n</p> +<p>Upon the vier. 'Tis done by this time though.</p> +<p>He's nice an' moist; vor when I wer a-meäken o'n</p> +<p>I stuck some bits ov apple in the dough.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, father; what d'ye think? The pig got out</p> +<p>This mornèn; an' avore we zeed or heärd en,</p> +<p>He run about, an' got out into geärden,</p> +<p>An' routed up the groun' zoo wi' his snout!</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now only think o' that! You must contrive</p> +<p>To keep en in, or else he'll never thrive.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page128" id="page128"></a><span class="left">[page 128]</span> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' father, what d'ye think? I voun' to-day</p> +<p>The nest where thik wold hen ov our's do lay:</p> +<p>'Twer out in orcha'd hedge, an' had vive aggs.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Lo'k there: how wet you got your veet an' lags!</p> +<p>How did ye get in such a pickle, Jahn?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I broke my hoss, an' been a-fwo'ced to stan'</p> +<p>All's day in mud an' water vor to dig,</p> +<p>An' meäde myzelf so wetshod as a pig.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Father, teäke off your shoes, then come, and I</p> +<p>Will bring your wold woones vor ye, nice an' dry.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' have ye got much hedgèn mwore to do?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Enough to last vor dree weeks mwore or zoo.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when y'ave done the job you be about,</p> +<p>D'ye think you'll have another vound ye out?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O ees, there'll be some mwore: vor after that,</p> +<p>I got a job o' trenchèn to goo at;</p> +<p>An' then zome trees to shroud, an' wood to vell,—</p> +<p>Zoo I do hope to rub on pretty well</p> +<p>Till zummer time; an' then I be to cut</p> +<p>The wood an' do the trenchèn by the tut.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' nex' week, father, I'm a-gwaïn to goo</p> +<p>A-pickèn stwones, d'ye know, vor Farmer True.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page129" id="page129"></a><span class="left">[page 129]</span> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' little Jack, you know, 's a-gwaïn to eärn</p> +<p>A penny too, a-keepèn birds off corn.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O brave! What wages do 'e meän to gi'e?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>WIFE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She dreppence vor a day, an' twopence he.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, Polly; thou must work a little spracker</p> +<p>When thou bist out, or else thou wu'ten pick</p> +<p>A dungpot lwoad o' stwones up very quick.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>CHILD.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! yes I shall. But Jack do want a clacker:</p> +<p>An' father, wull ye teäke an' cut</p> +<p>A stick or two to meäke his hut.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You wench! why you be always up a-baggèn.</p> +<p>I be too tired now to-night, I'm sure,</p> + <p class="i2">To zet a-doèn any mwore:</p> +<p>Zoo I shall goo up out o' the way o' the waggon.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + + <div class="figcenter"><img src="images/wavy_rule2-120.png" width="120" height="7" alt="wavy rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<a name="p129" id="p129"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>A GHOST.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Jem an' Dick.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>JEM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>This is a darkish evenèn; b'ye a-feärd</p> +<p>O' zights? Theäse leäne's a-haunted, I've a heärd.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page130" id="page130"></a><span class="left">[page 130]</span> + +<h5>DICK.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, I be'nt much a-feär'd. If vo'k don't strive</p> +<p>To over-reach me while they be alive,</p> +<p>I don't much think the dead wull ha' the will</p> +<p>To come back here to do me any ill.</p> +<p>An' I've a-been about all night, d'ye know,</p> +<p>Vrom candle-lightèn till the cock did crow;</p> +<p>But never met wi' nothèn bad enough</p> +<p>To be much wo'se than what I be myzuf;</p> +<p>Though I, lik' others, have a-heärd vo'k zay</p> +<p>The girt house is a-haunted, night an' day.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JEM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye; I do mind woone winter 'twer a-zaid</p> +<p>The farmer's vo'k could hardly sleep a-bed,</p> +<p>They heärd at night such scuffèns an' such jumpèns,</p> +<p>Such ugly naïses an' such rottlèn thumpèns.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>DICK.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, I do mind I heärd his son, young Sammy,</p> +<p>Tell how the chairs did dance an' doors did slammy;</p> +<p>He stood to it—though zome vo'k woulden heed en—</p> +<p>He didden only hear the ghost, but zeed en;</p> +<p>An', hang me! if I han't a'most a-shook,</p> +<p>To hear en tell what ugly sheäpes it took.</p> +<p>Did zometimes come vull six veet high, or higher,</p> +<p>In white, he zaid, wi' eyes lik' coals o' vier;</p> +<p>An' zometimes, wi' a feäce so peäle as milk,</p> +<p>A smileless leädy, all a-deck'd in silk.</p> +<p>His heäir, he zaid, did use to stand upright,</p> +<p>So stiff's a bunch o' rushes, wi' his fright.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JEM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then you know that zome'hat is a-zeed</p> +<p>Down there in leäne, an' over in the meäd,</p> +<p>A-comèn zometimes lik' a slinkèn hound,</p> +<p>Or rollèn lik' a vleece along the ground.</p><a name="page131" id="page131"></a><span class="left">[page 131]</span> +<p>An' woonce, when gramfer wi' his wold grey meäre</p> +<p>Wer ridèn down the leäne vrom Shroton feäir,</p> +<p>It roll'd so big's a pack ov wool across</p> +<p>The road just under en, an' leäm'd his hoss.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>DICK.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye; did ye ever hear—vo'k zaid 'twer true—</p> +<p>O' what bevell Jack Hine zome years agoo?</p> +<p>Woone vrosty night, d'ye know, at Chris'mas tide,</p> +<p>Jack, an' another chap or two bezide,</p> +<p>'D a-been out, zomewhere up at tother end</p> +<p>O' parish, to a naïghbour's house to spend</p> +<p>A merry hour, an' mid a-took a cup</p> +<p>Or two o' eäle a-keepèn Chris'mas up;</p> +<p>Zoo I do lot 'twer leäte avore the peärty</p> +<p>'D a-burnt their bron out; I do lot, avore</p> +<p>They thought o' turnèn out o' door</p> +<p>'Twer mornèn, vor their friendship then wer hearty.</p> +<p>Well; clwose ageän the vootpath that do leäd</p> +<p>Vrom higher parish over withy-meäd,</p> +<p>There's still a hollow, you do know: they tried there,</p> +<p>In former times, to meäke a cattle-pit,</p> +<p>But gie'd it up, because they coulden get</p> +<p>The water any time to bide there.</p> +<p>Zoo when the merry fellows got</p> +<p>Just overright theäse lwonesome spot,</p> +<p>Jack zeed a girt big house-dog wi' a collar,</p> +<p>A-stannèn down in thik there hollor.</p> +<p>Lo'k there, he zaïd, there's zome girt dog a-prowlèn:</p> +<p>I'll just goo down an' gi'e'n a goodish lick</p> +<p>Or two wi' theäse here groun'-ash stick,</p> +<p>An' zend the shaggy rascal hwome a-howlèn.</p> +<p>Zoo there he run, an' gi'ed en a good whack</p> +<p>Wi' his girt ashen stick a-thirt his back;</p> +<p>An', all at woonce, his stick split right all down</p> +<p>In vower pieces; an' the pieces vled</p><a name="page132" id="page132"></a><span class="left">[page 132]</span> +<p>Out ov his hand all up above his head,</p> +<p>An' pitch'd in vower corners o' the groun'.</p> +<p>An' then he velt his han' get all so num',</p> +<p>He coulden veel a vinger or a thum';</p> +<p>An' after that his eärm begun to zwell,</p> +<p>An' in the night a-bed he vound</p> +<p>The skin o't peelèn off all round.</p> +<p>'Twer near a month avore he got it well.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<h5>JEM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>That wer vor hettèn ō'n. He should a let en</p> +<p>Alwone d'ye zee: 'twer wicked vor to het en.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<br /><br /><br /> + +<a name="page133" id="page133"></a><span class="left">[page 133]</span> + +<h3>SUNDRY PIECES.</h3> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/rule0-100.png" width="100" height="17" alt="rule" border="0" /></div><br /> + +<h4>A ZONG.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O Jenny, don't sobby! vor I shall be true;</p> +<p>Noo might under heaven shall peärt me vrom you.</p> +<p>My heart will be cwold, Jenny, when I do slight</p> +<p>The zwell o' thy bosom, thy eyes' sparklèn light.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My kinsvo'k would faïn zee me teäke vor my meäte</p> +<p>A maïd that ha' wealth, but a maïd I should heäte;</p> +<p>But I'd sooner leäbour wi' thee vor my bride,</p> +<p>Than live lik' a squier wi' any bezide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor all busy kinsvo'k, my love will be still</p> +<p>A-zet upon thee lik' the vir in the hill;</p> +<p>An' though they mid worry, an' dreaten, an' mock,</p> +<p>My head's in the storm, but my root's in the rock.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo, Jenny, don't sobby! vor I shall be true;</p> +<p>Noo might under heaven shall peärt me vrom you.</p> +<p>My heart will be cwold, Jenny, when I do slight</p> +<p>The zwell o' thy bosom, thy eyes' sparklèn light.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page134" id="page134"></a><span class="left">[page 134]</span> + +<h4>THE MAID VOR MY BRIDE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! don't tell o' maïdens! the woone vor my bride</p> +<p>Is little lik' too many maïdens bezide,—</p> +<p>Not brantèn, nor spitevul, nor wild; she've a mind</p> +<p>To think o' what's right, an' a heart to be kind.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She's straïght an' she's slender, but not over tall,</p> +<p>Wi' lim's that be lightsome, but not over small;</p> +<p>The goodness o' heaven do breathe in her feäce,</p> +<p>An' a queen, to be steätely, must walk wi' her peäce.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her frocks be a-meäde all becomèn an' plaïn,</p> +<p>An' cleän as a blossom undimm'd by a staïn;</p> +<p>Her bonnet ha' got but two ribbons, a-tied</p> +<p>Up under her chin, or let down at the zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When she do speak to woone, she don't steäre an' grin;</p> +<p>There's sense in her looks, vrom her eyes to her chin,</p> +<p>An' her words be so kind, an' her speech is so meek,</p> +<p>As her eyes do look down a-beginnèn to speak.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her skin is so white as a lily, an' each</p> +<p>Ov her cheäks is so downy an' red as a peach;</p> +<p>She's pretty a-zittèn; but oh! how my love</p> +<p>Do watch her to madness when woonce she do move.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when she do walk hwome vrom church drough the groun',</p> +<p>Wi' woone eärm in mine, an' wi' woone a-hung down,</p> +<p>I do think, an' do veel mwore o' sheäme than o' pride,</p> +<p>That do meäke me look ugly to walk by her zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo don't talk o' maïden's! the woone vor my bride</p> +<p>Is but little lik' too many maïdens bezide,—</p> +<p>Not brantèn, nor spitevul, nor wild; she've a mind</p> +<p>To think o' what's right, an' a heart to be kind.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page135" id="page135"></a><span class="left">[page 135]</span> + +<h4>THE HWOMESTEAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>If I had all the land my zight</p> + <p class="i2">Can overlook vrom Chalwell hill,</p> + <p>Vrom Sherborn left to Blanvord right,</p> + <p class="i2">Why I could be but happy still.</p> + <p>An' I be happy wi' my spot</p> + <p>O' freehold ground an' mossy cot,</p> + <p>An' shoulden get a better lot</p> + <p class="i2">If I had all my will.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>My orcha'd's wide, my trees be young;</p> + <p class="i2">An' they do bear such heavy crops,</p> + <p>Their boughs, lik' onion-rwopes a-hung,</p> + <p class="i2">Be all a-trigg'd to year, wi' props.</p> + <p>I got some geärden groun' to dig,</p> + <p>A parrock, an' a cow an' pig;</p> + <p>I got zome cider vor to swig,</p> + <p class="i2">An' eäle o' malt an' hops.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>I'm landlord o' my little farm,</p> + <p class="i2">I'm king 'ithin my little pleäce;</p> + <p>I don't break laws, an' don't do harm,</p> + <p class="i2">An' bent a-feär'd o' noo man's feäce.</p> + <p>When I'm a-cover'd wi' my thatch,</p> + <p>Noo man do deäre to lift my latch;</p> + <p>Where honest han's do shut the hatch,</p> + <p class="i2">There fear do leäve the pleäce.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>My lofty elem trees do screen</p> + <p class="i2">My brown-ruf'd house, an' here below,</p> + <p>My geese do strut athirt the green,</p> + <p class="i2">An' hiss an' flap their wings o' snow;</p> + <p>As I do walk along a rank</p> + <p>Ov apple trees, or by a bank,</p> + <p>Or zit upon a bar or plank,</p> + <p class="i2">To see how things do grow.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page136" id="page136"></a><span class="left">[page 136]</span> + +<h4>THE FARMER'S WOLDEST DĀ'TER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>No, no! I ben't a-runnèn down</p> + <p>The pretty maïden's o' the town,</p> + <p class="i2">Nor wishèn o'm noo harm;</p> + <p>But she that I would marry vu'st,</p> + <p>To sheäre my good luck or my crust,</p> + <p class="i2">'S a-bred up at a farm.</p> + <p>In town, a maïd do zee mwore life,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I don't under-reäte her;</p> + <p>But ten to woone the sprackest wife</p> + <p class="i2">'S a farmer's woldest dā'ter.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor she do veed, wi' tender ceäre,</p> + <p>The little woones, an' peärt their heäir,</p> + <p class="i2">An' keep em neat an' pirty;</p> + <p>An' keep the saucy little chaps</p> + <p>O' bwoys in trim wi' dreats an' slaps,</p> + <p class="i2">When they be wild an' dirty.</p> + <p>Zoo if you'd have a bus'lèn wife,</p> + <p class="i2">An' childern well look'd after,</p> + <p>The maïd to help ye all drough life</p> + <p class="i2">'S a farmer's woldest dā'ter.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' she can iorn up an' vwold</p> + <p>A book o' clothes wï' young or wold,</p> + <p class="i2">An' zalt an' roll the butter;</p> + <p>An' meäke brown bread, an' elder wine,</p> + <p>An' zalt down meat in pans o' brine,</p> + <p class="i2">An' do what you can put her.</p> + <p>Zoo if you've wherewi', an' would vind</p> + <p class="i2">A wife wo'th lookèn ā'ter,</p> + <p>Goo an' get a farmer in the mind</p> + <p class="i2">To gi'e ye his woldest dā'ter.</p></div> + +<a name="page137" id="page137"></a><span class="left">[page 137]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Her heart's so innocent an' kind,</p> + <p>She idden thoughtless, but do mind</p> + <p class="i2">Her mother an' her duty;</p> + <p>An' livèn blushes, that do spread</p> + <p>Upon her healthy feäce o' red,</p> + <p class="i2">Do heighten all her beauty;</p> + <p>So quick's a bird, so neat's a cat,</p> + <p class="i2">So cheerful in her neätur,</p> + <p>The best o' maïdens to come at</p> + <p class="i2">'S a farmer's woldest dā'ter.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p137" id="p137"></a> + +<h4>UNCLE OUT O' DEBT AN' OUT O' DANGER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">Ees; uncle had thik small hwomestead,</p> + <p class="i4">The leäzes an' the bits o' mead,</p> + <p class="i4">Besides the orcha'd in his prime,</p> + <p class="i4">An' copse-wood vor the winter time.</p> + <p class="i4">His wold black meäre, that draw'd his cart,</p> + <p class="i4">An' he, wer seldom long apeärt;</p> + <p class="i4">Vor he work'd hard an' païd his woy,</p> + <p class="i4">An' zung so litsom as a bwoy,</p> + <p class="i8">As he toss'd an' work'd,</p> + <p class="i8">An' blow'd an' quirk'd,</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meäre.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">His meäre's long vlexy vetlocks grow'd</p> + <p class="i4">Down roun' her hoofs so black an' brode;</p> + <p class="i4">Her head hung low, her taïl reach'd down</p> + <p class="i4">A-bobbèn nearly to the groun'.</p> + <p class="i4">The cwoat that uncle mwostly wore</p> + <p class="i4">Wer long behind an' straïght avore,</p><a name="page138" id="page138"></a><span class="left">[page 138]</span> + <p class="i4">An' in his shoes he had girt buckles,</p> + <p class="i4">An' breeches button'd round his huckles;</p> + <p class="i8">An' he zung wi' pride,</p> + <p class="i8">By's wold meäre's zide,</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meare."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">An' he would work,—an' lwoad, an' shoot,</p> + <p class="i4">An' spur his heaps o' dung or zoot;</p> + <p class="i4">Or car out haÿ, to sar his vew</p> + <p class="i4">Milch cows in corners dry an' lew;</p> + <p class="i4">Or dreve a zyve, or work a pick,</p> + <p class="i4">To pitch or meäke his little rick;</p> + <p class="i4">Or thatch en up wi' straw or zedge,</p> + <p class="i4">Or stop a shard, or gap, in hedge;</p> + <p class="i8">An' he work'd an' flung</p> + <p class="i8">His eärms, an' zung</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meare."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">An' when his meäre an' he'd a-done</p> + <p class="i4">Their work, an' tired ev'ry bwone,</p> + <p class="i4">He zot avore the vire, to spend</p> + <p class="i4">His evenèn wi' his wife or friend;</p> + <p class="i4">An' wi' his lags out-stratch'd vor rest,</p> + <p class="i4">An' woone hand in his wes'coat breast,</p> + <p class="i4">While burnèn sticks did hiss an' crack,</p> + <p class="i4">An' fleämes did bleäzy up the back,</p> + <p class="i8">There he zung so proud</p> + <p class="i8">In a bakky cloud,</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p><a name="page139" id="page139"></a><span class="left">[page 139]</span> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meare."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">From market how he used to ride,</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' pot's a-bumpèn by his zide</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' things a-bought—but not vor trust,</p> + <p class="i4">Vor what he had he païd vor vu'st;</p> + <p class="i4">An' when he trotted up the yard,</p> + <p class="i4">The calves did bleäry to be sar'd,</p> + <p class="i4">An' pigs did scoat all drough the muck,</p> + <p class="i4">An' geese did hiss, an' hens did cluck;</p> + <p class="i8">An' he zung aloud,</p> + <p class="i8">So pleased an' proud,</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meare."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i4">When he wer joggèn hwome woone night</p> + <p class="i4">Vrom market, after candle-light,</p> + <p class="i4">(He mid a-took a drop o' beer,</p> + <p class="i4">Or midden, vor he had noo fear,)</p> + <p class="i4">Zome ugly, long-lagg'd, herrèn ribs,</p> + <p class="i4">Jump'd out an' ax'd en vor his dibs;</p> + <p class="i4">But he soon gi'ed en such a mawlèn,</p> + <p class="i4">That there he left en down a-sprawlèn,</p> + <p class="i8">While he jogg'd along</p> + <p class="i8">Wi' his own wold zong,</p> + <p class="i4">"I'm out o' debt an' out o' danger,</p> + <p class="i4">An' I can feäce a friend or stranger;</p> + <p>I've a vist vor friends, an' I'll vind a peäir</p> + <p>Vor the vu'st that do meddle wi' me or my meare."</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page140" id="page140"></a><span class="left">[page 140]</span> + +<h4>THE CHURCH AN' HAPPY ZUNDAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah! ev'ry day mid bring a while</p> + <p>O' eäse vrom all woone's ceäre an' tweil,</p> + <p>The welcome evenèn, when 'tis sweet</p> + <p>Vor tired friends wi' weary veet,</p> + <p>But litsome hearts o' love, to meet;</p> + <p>An' yet while weekly times do roll,</p> + <p>The best vor body an' vor soul</p> + <p class="i2">'S the church an' happy Zunday.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor then our loosen'd souls do rise</p> + <p>Wi' holy thoughts beyond the skies,</p> + <p>As we do think o' <i>Him</i> that shed</p> + <p>His blood vor us, an' still do spread</p> + <p>His love upon the live an' dead;</p> + <p>An' how He gi'ed a time an' pleäce</p> + <p>To gather us, an' gi'e us greäce,—</p> + <p class="i2">The church an' happy Zunday.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There, under leänen mossy stwones,</p> + <p>Do lie, vorgot, our fathers' bwones,</p> + <p>That trod this groun' vor years agoo,</p> + <p>When things that now be wold wer new;</p> + <p>An' comely maïdens, mild an' true,</p> + <p>That meäde their sweet-hearts happy brides,</p> + <p>An' come to kneel down at their zides</p> + <p class="i2">At church o' happy Zundays.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Tis good to zee woone's naïghbours come</p> + <p>Out drough the churchyard, vlockèn hwome,</p> + <p>As woone do nod, an' woone do smile,</p> + <p>An' woone do toss another's chile;</p> + <p>An' zome be sheäken han's, the while</p> + <p>Poll's uncle, chuckèn her below</p> + <p>Her chin, do tell her she do grow,</p> + <p class="i2">At church o' happy Zundays.</p></div> + +<a name="page141" id="page141"></a><span class="left">[page 141]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo while our blood do run in vaïns</p> + <p>O' livèn souls in theäsum plaïns,</p> + <p>Mid happy housen smoky round</p> + <p>The church an' holy bit o' ground;</p> + <p>An' while their weddèn bells do sound,</p> + <p>Oh! mid em have the meäns o' greäce,</p> + <p>The holy day an' holy pleäce,</p> + <p class="i2">The church an' happy Zunday.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p141" id="p141"></a> + +<h4>THE WOLD WAGGON.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The girt wold waggon uncle had,</p> +<p>When I wer up a hardish lad,</p> +<p>Did stand, a-screen'd vrom het an' wet,</p> +<p>In zummer at the barken geäte,</p> +<p>Below the elems' spreädèn boughs,</p> +<p>A-rubb'd by all the pigs an' cows.</p> +<p>An' I've a-clom his head an' zides,</p> +<p>A-riggèn up or jumpèn down</p> +<p>A-plaÿèn, or in happy rides</p> +<p>Along the leäne or drough the groun',</p> +<p>An' many souls be in their greäves,</p> +<p>That rod' together on his reäves;</p> +<p>An' he, an' all the hosses too,</p> +<p>'V a-ben a-done vor years agoo.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Upon his head an' taïl wer pinks,</p> +<p>A-païnted all in tangled links;</p> +<p>His two long zides wer blue,—his bed</p> +<p>Bent slightly upward at the head;</p> +<p>His reäves rose upward in a bow</p> +<p>Above the slow hind-wheels below.</p> +<p>Vour hosses wer a-kept to pull</p> +<p>The girt wold waggon when 'twer vull;</p> +<p>The black meäre <i>Smiler</i>, strong enough</p> +<p>To pull a house down by herzuf,</p><a name="page142" id="page142"></a><span class="left">[page 142]</span> +<p>So big, as took my widest strides</p> +<p>To straddle halfway down her zides;</p> +<p>An' champèn <i>Vi'let</i>, sprack an' light,</p> +<p>That foam'd an' pull'd wi' all her might:</p> +<p>An' <i>Whitevoot</i>, leäzy in the treäce,</p> +<p>Wi' cunnèn looks an' show-white feäce;</p> +<p>Bezides a baÿ woone, short-taïl <i>Jack</i>,</p> +<p>That wer a treäce-hoss or a hack.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How many lwoads o' vuzz, to scald</p> +<p>The milk, thik waggon have a-haul'd!</p> +<p>An' wood vrom copse, an' poles vor raïls.</p> +<p>An' bayèns wi' their bushy taïls;</p> +<p>An' loose-ear'd barley, hangèn down</p> +<p>Outzide the wheels a'móst to groun',</p> +<p>An' lwoads o' haÿ so sweet an' dry,</p> +<p>A-builded straïght, an' long, an' high;</p> +<p>An' haÿ-meäkers, a-zittèn roun'</p> +<p>The reäves, a-ridèn hwome vrom groun',</p> +<p>When Jim gi'ed Jenny's lips a-smack,</p> +<p>An' jealous Dicky whipp'd his back,</p> +<p>An' maïdens scream'd to veel the thumps</p> +<p>A-gi'ed by trenches an' by humps.</p> +<p>But he, an' all his hosses too,</p> +<p>'V a-ben a-done vor years agoo.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p142" id="p142"></a> + +<h4>THE DRÈVEN O' THE COMMON.<a href="#p142n"><sup>*</sup></a></h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In the common by our hwome</p> +<p>There wer freely-open room,</p> +<p>Vor our litty veet to roam</p> +<p>By the vuzzen out in bloom.</p> +<p>That wi' prickles kept our lags</p> +<p>Vrom the skylark's nest ov aggs;</p><a name="page143" id="page143"></a><span class="left">[page 143]</span> +<p>While the peewit wheel'd around</p> +<p>Wi' his cry up over head,</p> +<p>Or he sped, though a-limpèn, o'er the ground.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There we heärd the whickr'èn meäre</p> +<p>Wi' her vaïce a-quiv'rèn high;</p> +<p>Where the cow did loudly bleäre</p> +<p>By the donkey's vallèn cry.</p> +<p>While a-stoopèn man did zwing</p> +<p>His bright hook at vuzz or ling</p> +<p>Free o' fear, wi' wellglov'd hands,</p> +<p>O' the prickly vuzz he vell'd,</p> +<p>Then sweet-smell'd as it died in faggot bands.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the haÿward drove the stock</p> +<p>In a herd to zome oone pleäce,</p> +<p>Thither vo'k begun to vlock,</p> +<p>Each to own his beästes feäce.</p> +<p>While the geese, bezide the stream,</p> +<p>Zent vrom gapèn bills a scream,</p> +<p>An' the cattle then avound,</p> +<p>Without right o' greäzen there,</p> +<p>Went to bleäre braÿ or whicker in the pound.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<a name="p142n" id="p142n"></a> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p142"><sup>*</sup></a>The Driving of the Common was by the <i>Hayward</i> who,</span></p> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"> whenever he thought fit, would drive all the cattle into a</span></p> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"> corner and impound all heads belonging to owners</span></p> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"> without a right of commonage for them, so that they</span></p> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"> had to ransom them by a fine.</span></p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p143" id="p143"></a> + +<h4>THE COMMON A-TOOK IN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! no, Poll, no! Since they've a-took</p> + <p>The common in, our lew wold nook</p> + <p>Don't seem a-bit as used to look</p> + <p class="i2">When we had runnèn room;</p> + <p>Girt banks do shut up ev'ry drong,</p> + <p>An' stratch wi' thorny backs along</p> + <p>Where we did use to run among</p> + <p>The vuzzen an' the broom.</p></div> + +<a name="page144" id="page144"></a><span class="left">[page 144]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ees; while the ragged colts did crop</p> + <p>The nibbled grass, I used to hop</p> + <p>The emmet-buts, vrom top to top,</p> + <p class="i2">So proud o' my spry jumps:</p> + <p>Wi' thee behind or at my zide,</p> + <p>A-skippèn on so light an' wide</p> + <p>'S thy little frock would let thee stride,</p> + <p class="i2">Among the vuzzy humps.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ah while the lark up over head</p> + <p>Did twitter, I did search the red</p> + <p>Thick bunch o' broom, or yollow bed</p> + <p class="i2">O' vuzzen vor a nest;</p> + <p>An' thou di'st hunt about, to meet</p> + <p>Wi' strawberries so red an' sweet,</p> + <p>Or clogs or shoes off hosses veet,</p> + <p class="i2">Or wild thyme vor thy breast;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Or when the cows did run about</p> + <p>A-stung, in zummer, by the stout,</p> + <p>Or when they plaÿ'd, or when they foüght,</p> + <p class="i2">Di'st stand a-lookèn on:</p> + <p>An' where white geese, wi' long red bills,</p> + <p>Did veed among the emmet-hills,</p> + <p>There we did goo to vind their quills</p> + <p class="i2">Alongzide o' the pon'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>What fun there wer among us, when</p> + <p>The haÿward come, wi' all his men,</p> + <p>To drève the common, an' to pen</p> + <p class="i2">Strange cattle in the pound;</p> + <p>The cows did bleäre, the men did shout</p> + <p>An' toss their eärms an' sticks about,</p> + <p>An' vo'ks, to own their stock, come out</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom all the housen round.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page145" id="page145"></a><span class="left">[page 145]</span> + +<h4>A WOLD FRIEND.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! when the friends we us'd to know,</p> + <p class="i2">'V a-been a-lost vor years; an' when</p> + <p>Zome happy day do come, to show</p> + <p class="i2">Their feäzen to our eyes ageän,</p> + <p>Do meäke us look behind, John,</p> + <p>Do bring wold times to mind, John,</p> + <p class="i2">Do meäke hearts veel, if they be steel,</p> + <p>All warm, an' soft, an' kind, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When we do lose, still gaÿ an' young,</p> + <p class="i2">A vaïce that us'd to call woone's neäme,</p> + <p>An' after years ageän his tongue</p> + <p class="i2">Do sound upon our ears the seäme,</p> + <p>Do kindle love anew, John,</p> + <p>Do wet woone's eyes wi' dew, John,</p> + <p class="i2">As we do sheäke, vor friendship's seäke,</p> + <p>His vist an' vind en true, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>What tender thoughts do touch woone's soul,</p> + <p class="i2">When we do zee a meäd or hill</p> + <p>Where we did work, or plaÿ, or stroll,</p> + <p class="i2">An' talk wi' vaïces that be still;</p> + <p>'Tis touchèn vor to treäce, John,</p> + <p>Wold times drough ev'ry pleäce, John;</p> + <p class="i2">But that can't touch woone's heart so much,</p> + <p>As zome wold long-lost feäce, John.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p145" id="p145"></a> + +<h4>THE RWOSE THAT DECK'D HER BREAST.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Poor Jenny wer her Robert's bride</p> + <p>Two happy years, an' then he died;</p> + <p>An' zoo the wold vo'k meäde her come,</p> + <p>Vorseäken, to her maïden hwome.</p><a name="page146" id="page146"></a><span class="left">[page 146]</span> + <p>But Jenny's merry tongue wer dum';</p> + <p class="i2">An' round her comely neck she wore</p> + <p class="i2">A murnèn kerchif, where avore</p> + <p class="i4">The rwose did deck her breast.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She walk'd alwone, wi' eye-balls wet,</p> + <p>To zee the flow'rs that she'd a-zet;</p> + <p>The lilies, white's her maïden frocks,</p> + <p>The spike, to put 'ithin her box,</p> + <p>Wi' columbines an' hollyhocks;</p> + <p class="i2">The jilliflow'r an' noddèn pink,</p> + <p class="i2">An' rwose that touch'd her soul to think</p> + <p class="i4">Ov woone that deck'd her breast.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor at her weddèn, just avore</p> + <p>Her maïden hand had yet a-wore</p> + <p>A wife's goold ring, wi' hangèn head</p> + <p>She walk'd along thik flower-bed,</p> + <p>Where stocks did grow, a-staïned wi' red,</p> + <p class="i2">An' meärygoolds did skirt the walk,</p> + <p class="i2">An' gather'd vrom the rwose's stalk</p> + <p class="i4"> A bud to deck her breast.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' then her cheäk, wi' youthvul blood</p> + <p>Wer bloomèn as the rwoses bud;</p> + <p>But now, as she wi' grief do pine,</p> + <p>'Tis peäle's the milk-white jessamine.</p> + <p>But Robert have a-left behine</p> + <p class="i2">A little beäby wi' his feäce,</p> + <p class="i2">To smile, an' nessle in the pleäce</p> + <p class="i4">Where the rwose did deck her breast.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page147" id="page147"></a><span class="left">[page 147]</span> + +<h4>NANNY'S COW.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov all the cows, among the rest</p> + <p>Wer woone that Nanny lik'd the best;</p> + <p>An' after milkèn us'd to stan'</p> + <p>A-veedèn o' her, vrom her han',</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' grass or haÿ; an' she know'd Ann,</p> + <p class="i2">An' in the evenèn she did come</p> + <p class="i2">The vu'st, a-beätèn üp roun' hwome</p> + <p class="i4">Vor Ann to come an' milk her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Her back wer hollor as a bow,</p> + <p>Her lags wer short, her body low;</p> + <p>Her head wer small, her horns turn'd in</p> + <p>Avore Her feäce so sharp's a pin:</p> + <p>Her eyes wer vull, her ears wer thin,</p> + <p class="i2">An' she wer red vrom head to taïl,</p> + <p class="i2">An' didden start nor kick the païl,</p> + <p class="i4">When Nanny zot to milk her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But losses zoon begun to vall</p> + <p>On Nanny's fàther, that wi' all</p> + <p>His tweil he voun', wi' breakèn heart,</p> + <p>That he mus' leäve his ground, an' peärt</p> + <p>Wi' all his beäst an' hoss an' cart;</p> + <p class="i2">An', what did touch en mwost, to zell</p> + <p class="i2">The red cow Nanny lik'd so well,</p> + <p class="i4">An' lik'd vor her to milk her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zalt tears did run vrom Nanny's eyes,</p> + <p>To hear her restless father's sighs.</p> + <p>But as vor me, she mid be sure</p> + <p>I wont vorzeäke her now she's poor,</p> + <p>Vor I do love her mwore an' mwore;</p> + <p class="i2">An' if I can but get a cow</p> + <p class="i2">An' parrock, I'll vulvil my vow,</p> + <p class="i4">An' she shall come an' milk her.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page148" id="page148"></a><span class="left">[page 148]</span> + +<h4>THE SHEP'ERD BWOY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When the warm zummer breeze do blow over the hill,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the vlock's a-spread over the ground;</p> + <p>When the vaïce o' the busy wold sheep dog is still,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the sheep-bells do tinkle all round;</p> + <p class="i2">Where noo tree vor a sheäde but the thorn is a-vound,</p> + <p class="i8">There, a zingèn a zong,</p> + <p class="i8">Or a-whislèn among</p> + <p>The sheep, the young shep'erd do bide all day long.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When the storm do come up wi' a thundery cloud</p> + <p class="i2">That do shut out the zunlight, an' high</p> + <p>Over head the wild thunder do rumble so loud,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the lightnèn do flash vrom the sky,</p> + <p class="i2">Where noo shelter's a-vound but his hut, that is nigh,</p> + <p class="i8">There out ov all harm,</p> + <p class="i8">In the dry an' the warm,</p> + <p>The poor little shep'erd do smile at the storm.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When the cwold winter win' do blow over the hill,</p> + <p class="i2">An' the hore-vrost do whiten the grass,</p> + <p>An' the breath o' the no'th is so cwold, as to chill</p> + <p class="i2">The warm blood ov woone's heart as do pass;</p> + <p class="i2">When the ice o' the pond is so slipp'ry as glass,</p> + <p class="i8">There, a-zingèn a zong,</p> + <p class="i8">Or a-whislèn among</p> + <p>The sheep, the poor shep'erd do bide all day long.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When the shearèn's a-come, an' the shearers do pull</p> + <p class="i2">In the sheep, hangèn back a-gwaïn in,</p> + <p>Wi' their roun' zides a-heavèn in under their wool,</p> + T<p class="i2">o come out all a-clipp'd to the skin;</p> + <p class="i2">When the feästèn, an' zingèn, an fun do begin,</p> + <p class="i8">Vor to help em, an' sheäre</p> + <p class="i8">All their me'th an' good feäre,</p> + <p>The poor little shep'erd is sure to be there.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page149" id="page149"></a><span class="left">[page 149]</span> + +<h4>HOPE A-LEFT BEHIND.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Don't try to win a maïden's heart,</p> + <p class="i2">To leäve her in her love,—'tis wrong:</p> + <p>'Tis bitter to her soul to peärt</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' woone that is her sweetheart long.</p> + <p class="i2">A maïd's vu'st love is always strong;</p> + <p>An' if do faïl, she'll linger on,</p> + <p>Wi' all her best o' pleasure gone,</p> + <p class="i4">An' hope a-left behind her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Thy poor lost Jenny wer a-grow'd</p> + <p class="i2">So kind an' thoughtvul vor her years,</p> + <p>When she did meet wi' vo'k a-know'd</p> + <p class="i2">The best, her love did speak in tears.</p> + <p class="i2">She walk'd wi' thee, an' had noo fears</p> + <p>O' thy unkindness, till she zeed</p> + <p>Herzelf a-cast off lik' a weed,</p> + <p class="i4">An' hope a-left behind her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Thy slight turn'd peäle her cherry lip;</p> + <p class="i2">Her sorrow, not a-zeed by eyes,</p> + <p>Wer lik' the mildew, that do nip</p> + <p class="i2">A bud by darksome midnight skies.</p> + <p class="i2">The day mid come, the zun mid rise,</p> + <p>But there's noo hope o' day nor zun;</p> + <p>The storm ha' blow'd, the harm's a-done,</p> + <p class="i4">An' hope's a-left behind her.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The time will come when thou wouldst gi'e</p> + <p class="i2">The worold vor to have her smile,</p> + <p>Or meet her by the parrock tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Or catch her jumpèn off the stile;</p> + <p class="i2">Thy life's avore thee vor a while,</p> + <p>But thou wilt turn thy mind in time,</p> + <p>An' zee the deèd as 'tis,—a crime,</p> + <p class="i4">An' hope a-left behind thee.</p></div> + +<a name="page150" id="page150"></a><span class="left">[page 150]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p> never win a maïden's heart,</p> + <p class="i2">But her's that is to be thy bride,</p> + <p>An' plaÿ drough life a manly peärt,</p> + <p class="i2">An' if she's true when time ha' tried</p> + <p class="i2">Her mind, then teäke her by thy zide.</p> + <p>True love will meäke thy hardships light,</p> + <p>True love will meäke the worold bright,</p> + <p class="i4">When hope's a-left behind thee.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p150" id="p150"></a> + +<h4>A GOOD FATHER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>No; mind thy father. When his tongue</p> + <p class="i2">Is keen, he's still thy friend, John,</p> + <p>Vor wolder vo'k should warn the young</p> + <p class="i2">How wickedness will end, John;</p> + <p>An' he do know a wicked youth</p> + <p class="i2">Would be thy manhood's beäne,</p> + <p>An' zoo would bring thee back ageän</p> + <p class="i2">'Ithin the ways o' truth.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' mind en still when in the end</p> + <p class="i2">His leäbour's all a-done, John,</p> + <p>An' let en vind a steadvast friend</p> + <p class="i2">In thee his thoughtvul son, John;</p> + <p>Vor he did win what thou didst lack</p> + <p class="i2">Avore couldst work or stand,</p> + <p class="i2">An' zoo, when time do num' his hand,</p> + <p class="i4">Then pay his leäbour back.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when his bwones be in the dust,</p> + <p class="i2">Then honour still his neäme, John;</p> + <p>An' as his godly soul wer just,</p> + <p class="i2">Let thine be voun' the seäme, John.</p> + <p>Be true, as he wer true, to men,</p> + <p class="i2">An' love the laws o' God;</p> + <p class="i2">Still tread the road that he've a-trod,</p> + <p class="i4">An' live wi' him ageän.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page151" id="page151"></a><span class="left">[page 151]</span> + +<h4>THE BEAM IN GRENLEY CHURCH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In church at Grenley woone mid zee</p> +<p>A beam vrom wall to wall; a tree</p> +<p>That's longer than the church is wide,</p> +<p>An' zoo woone end o'n's drough outside,—</p> +<p>Not cut off short, but bound all round</p> +<p>Wi' lead, to keep en seäfe an' sound.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Back when the builders vu'st begun</p> +<p>The church,—as still the teäle do run,—</p> +<p>A man work'd wi' em; no man knew</p> +<p>Who 'twer, nor whither he did goo.</p> +<p>He wer as harmless as a chile,</p> +<p>An' work'd 'ithout a frown or smile,</p> +<p>Till any woaths or strife did rise</p> +<p>To overcast his sparklèn eyes:</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then he'd call their minds vrom strife,</p> +<p>To think upon another life.</p> +<p>He wer so strong, that all alwone</p> +<p>He lifted beams an' blocks o' stwone,</p> +<p>That others, with the girtest païns,</p> +<p>Could hardly wag wi' bars an' chaïns;</p> +<p>An' yet he never used to staÿ</p> +<p>O' Zaturdays, to teäke his paÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Woone day the men wer out o' heart,</p> +<p>To have a beam a-cut too short;</p> +<p>An' in the evenèn, when they shut</p> +<p>Off work, they left en where 'twer put;</p> +<p>An' while dumb night went softly by</p> +<p>Towárds the vi'ry western sky,</p> +<p>A-lullèn birds, an' shuttèn up</p> +<p>The deäisy an' the butter cup,</p><a name="page152" id="page152"></a><span class="left">[page 152]</span> +<p>They went to lay their heavy heads</p> +<p>An' weary bwones upon their beds.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the dewy mornèn broke,</p> +<p>An' show'd the worold, fresh awoke,</p> +<p>Their godly work ageän, they vound</p> +<p>The beam they left upon the ground</p> +<p>A-put in pleäce, where still do bide,</p> +<p>An' long enough to reach outzide.</p> +<p>But he unknown to tother men</p> +<p>Wer never there at work ageän:</p> +<p>Zoo whether he mid be a man</p> +<p>Or angel, wi' a helpèn han',</p> +<p>Or whether all o't wer a dream,</p> +<p>They didden deäre to cut the beam.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p152" id="p152"></a> + +<h4>THE VAÏCES THAT BE GONE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When evenèn sheädes o' trees do hide</p> + <p>A body by the hedge's zide,</p> + <p>An' twitt'rèn birds, wi' plaÿsome flight,</p> + <p>Do vlee to roost at comèn night,</p> + <p>Then I do saunter out o' zight</p> + <p class="i2">In orcha'd, where the pleäce woonce rung</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' laughs a-laugh'd an' zongs a-zung</p> + <p class="i4">By vaïces that be gone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>There's still the tree that bore our swing,</p> + <p>An' others where the birds did zing;</p> + <p>But long-leav'd docks do overgrow</p> + <p>The groun' we trampled heäre below,</p> + <p>Wi' merry skippèns to an' fro</p> + <p class="i2">Bezide the banks, where Jim did zit</p> + <p class="i2">A-plaÿèn o' the clarinit</p> + <p class="i4">To vaïces that be gone.</p></div> + +<a name="page153" id="page153"></a><span class="left">[page 153]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>How mother, when we us'd to stun</p> + <p>Her head wi' all our naïsy fun,</p> + <p>Did wish us all a-gone vrom hwome:</p> + <p>An' now that zome be dead, an' zome</p> + <p>A-gone, an' all the pleäce is dum',</p> + <p class="i2">How she do wish, wi' useless tears,</p> + <p class="i2">To have ageän about her ears</p> + <p class="i4">The vaïces that be gone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor all the maïdens an' the bwoys</p> + <p>But I, be marri'd off all woys,</p> + <p>Or dead an' gone; but I do bide</p> + <p>At hwome, alwone, at mother's zide,</p> + <p>An' often, at the evenèn-tide,</p> + <p class="i2">I still do saunter out, wi' tears,</p> + <p class="i2">Down drough the orcha'd, where my ears</p> + <p class="i4">Do miss the vaïces gone.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p153" id="p153"></a> + +<h4>POLL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When out below the trees, that drow'd</p> + <p>Their scraggy lim's athirt the road,</p> + <p>While evenèn zuns, a'móst a-zet,</p> + <p>Gi'ed goolden light, but little het,</p> + <p>The merry chaps an' maïdens met,</p> + <p class="i2">An' look'd to zomebody to neäme</p> + <p class="i2">Their bit o' fun, a dance or geäme,</p> + <p class="i4">'Twer Poll they cluster'd round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' after they'd a-had enough</p> + <p>O' snappèn tongs, or blind-man's buff,</p> + <p>O' winter nights, an' went an' stood</p> + <p>Avore the vire o' bleäzen wood,</p> + <p>Though there wer maïdens kind an' good,</p> + <p class="i2">Though there wer maïdens feäir an' tall,</p> + <p class="i2">'Twer Poll that wer the queen o'm all,</p> + <p class="i4">An' Poll they cluster'd round.</p></div> + +<a name="page154" id="page154"></a><span class="left">[page 154]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' when the childern used to catch</p> + <p>A glimpse o' Poll avore the hatch,</p> + <p>The little things did run to meet</p> + <p>Their friend wi' skippèn tott'rèn veet</p> + <p>An' thought noo other kiss so sweet</p> + <p class="i2">As hers; an' nwone could vind em out</p> + <p class="i2">Such geämes to meäke em jump an' shout,</p> + <p class="i4">As Poll they cluster'd round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' now, since she've a-left em, all</p> + <p>The pleäce do miss her, girt an' small.</p> + <p>In vaïn vor them the zun do sheen</p> + <p>Upon the lwonesome rwoad an' green;</p> + <p>Their zwing do hang vorgot between</p> + <p class="i2">The leänen trees, vor they've a-lost</p> + <p class="i2"> best o' maïdens, to their cost,</p> + <p class="i4">The maïd they cluster'd round.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p154" id="p154"></a> + +<h4>LOOKS A-KNOW'D AVORE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>While zome, a-gwaïn from pleäce to pleäce,</p> + <p>Do daily meet wi' zome new feäce,</p> + <p>When my day's work is at an end,</p> + <p>Let me zit down at hwome, an' spend</p> + <p>A happy hour wi' zome wold friend,</p> + <p class="i2">An' by my own vire-zide rejaïce</p> + <p class="i2">In zome wold naïghbour's welcome vaïce,</p> + <p class="i4">An' looks I know'd avore, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Why is it, friends that we've a-met</p> + <p>By zuns that now ha' long a-zet,</p> + <p>Or winter vires that bleäzed for wold</p> + <p>An' young vo'k, now vor ever cwold,</p> + <p>Be met wi' jaÿ that can't be twold?</p> + <p class="i2">Why, 'tis because they friends have all</p> + <p class="i2">Our youthvul spring ha' left our fall,—</p> + <p class="i4">The looks we know'd avore, John.</p></div> + +<a name="page155" id="page155"></a><span class="left">[page 155]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>'Tis lively at a feäir, among</p> + <p>The chattèn, laughèn, shiften drong,</p> + <p>When wold an' young, an' high an' low,</p> + <p>Do streamy round, an' to an' fro;</p> + <p>But what new feäce that we don't know,</p> + <p class="i2">Can ever meäke woone's warm heart dance</p> + <p class="i2">Among ten thousan', lik' a glance</p> + <p class="i4">O' looks we know'd avore, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>How of'en have the wind a-shook</p> + <p>The leaves off into yonder brook,</p> + <p>Since vu'st we two, in youthvul strolls,</p> + <p>Did ramble roun' them bubblèn shoals!</p> + <p>An' oh! that zome o' them young souls,</p> + <p class="i2">That we, in jaÿ, did plaÿ wi' then</p> + <p class="i2">Could come back now, an' bring ageän</p> + <p class="i4">The looks we know'd avore, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>So soon's the barley's dead an' down,</p> + <p>The clover-leaf do rise vrom groun',</p> + <p>An' wolder feäzen do but goo</p> + <p>To be a-vollow'd still by new;</p> + <p>But souls that be a-tried an' true</p> + <p class="i2">Shall meet ageän beyond the skies,</p> + <p class="i2">An' bring to woone another's eyes</p> + <p class="i4">The looks they know'd avore, John.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p155" id="p155"></a> + +<h4>THE MUSIC O' THE DEAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When music, in a heart that's true,</p> + <p>Do kindle up wold loves anew,</p> + <p>An' dim wet eyes, in feäirest lights,</p> + <p>Do zee but inward fancy's zights;</p> + <p>When creepèn years, wi' with'rèn blights,</p> + <p class="i2">'V a-took off them that wer so dear,</p> + <p class="i2">How touchèn 'tis if we do hear</p> + <p class="i4">The tuèns o' the dead, John.</p></div> + +<a name="page156" id="page156"></a><span class="left">[page 156]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When I, a-stannèn in the lew</p> + <p>O' trees a storm's a-beätèn drough,</p> + <p>Do zee the slantèn mist a-drove</p> + <p>By spitevul winds along the grove,</p> + <p>An' hear their hollow sounds above</p> + <p class="i2">My shelter'd head, do seem, as I</p> + <p class="i2">Do think o' zunny days gone by.</p> + <p class="i4">Lik' music vor the dead, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Last night, as I wer gwaïn along</p> + <p>The brook, I heärd the milk-maïd's zong</p> + <p>A-ringèn out so clear an' shrill</p> + <p>Along the meäds an' roun' the hill.</p> + <p>I catch'd the tuèn, an' stood still</p> + <p class="i2">To hear 't; 'twer woone that Jeäne did zing</p> + <p class="i2">A-vield a-milkèn in the spring,—</p> + <p class="i4">Sweet music o' the dead, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Don't tell o' zongs that be a-zung</p> + <p>By young chaps now, wi' sheämeless tongue:</p> + <p>Zing me wold ditties, that would start</p> + <p>The maïden's tears, or stir my heart</p> + <p>To teäke in life a manly peärt,—</p> + <p class="i2">The wold vo'k's zongs that twold a teäle,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vollow'd round their mugs o' eäle,</p> + <p class="i4">The music o' the dead, John.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p156" id="p156"></a> + +<h4>THE PLEÄCE A TEÄLE'S A-TWOLD O'.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Why tidden vields an' runnèn brooks,</p> + <p class="i2">Nor trees in Spring or fall;</p> + <p>An' tidden woody slopes an' nooks,</p> + <p class="i2">Do touch us mwost ov all;</p> + <p>An' tidden ivy that do cling</p> + <p class="i2">By housen big an' wold, O,</p> + <p>But this is, after all, the thing,—</p> + <p class="i2">The pleäce a teäle's a-twold o'.</p></div> + +<a name="page157" id="page157"></a><span class="left">[page 157]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>At Burn, where mother's young friends know'd</p> + <p class="i2">The vu'st her maïden neäme,</p> + <p>The zunny knaps, the narrow road</p> + <p class="i2">An' green, be still the seäme;</p> + <p>The squier's house, an' ev'ry ground</p> + <p class="i2">That now his son ha' zwold, O,</p> + <p>An' ev'ry wood he hunted round</p> + <p class="i2">'S a pleäce a teäle's a-twold o'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The maïd a-lov'd to our heart's core,</p> + <p class="i2">The dearest of our kin,</p> + <p>Do meäke us like the very door</p> + <p class="i2">Where they went out an' in.</p> + <p>'Tis zome'hat touchèn that bevel</p> + <p class="i2">Poor flesh an' blood o' wold, O,</p> + <p>Do meäke us like to zee so well</p> + <p class="i2">The pleäce a teäle's a-twold o'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When blushèn Jenny vu'st did come</p> + <p class="i2">To zee our Poll o' nights,</p> + <p>An' had to goo back leätish hwome,</p> + <p class="i2">Where vo'k did zee the zights,</p> + <p>A-chattèn loud below the sky</p> + <p class="i2">So dark, an' winds so cwold, O,</p> + <p>How proud wer I to zee her by</p> + <p class="i2">The pleäce the teäle's a-twold o'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo whether 'tis the humpy ground</p> + <p class="i2">That wer a battle viel',</p> + <p>Or mossy house, all ivy-bound,</p> + <p class="i2">An' vallèn down piece-meal;</p> + <p>Or if 'tis but a scraggy tree,</p> + <p class="i2">Where beauty smil'd o' wold, O,</p> + <p>How dearly I do like to zee</p> + <p class="i2">The pleäce a teäle's a-twold o'.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page158" id="page158"></a><span class="left">[page 158]</span> + +<h4>AUNT'S TANTRUMS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Why ees, aunt Anne's a little staïd,</p> + <p>But kind an' merry, poor wold maïd!</p> + <p>If we don't cut her heart wi' slights,</p> + <p>She'll zit an' put our things to rights,</p> + <p>Upon a hard day's work, o' nights;</p> + <p class="i2">But zet her up, she's jis' lik' vier,</p> + <p class="i2">An' woe betide the woone that's nigh 'er.</p> + <p class="i4">When she is in her tantrums.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She'll toss her head, a-steppèn out</p> + <p>Such strides, an' fling the païls about;</p> + <p>An' slam the doors as she do goo,</p> + <p>An' kick the cat out wi' her shoe,</p> + <p>Enough to het her off in two.</p> + <p class="i2">The bwoys do bundle out o' house,</p> + <p class="i2">A-lassen they should get a towse,</p> + <p class="i4">When aunt is in her tantrums.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She whurr'd, woone day, the wooden bowl</p> + <p>In such a veag at my poor poll;</p> + <p>It brush'd the heäir above my crown,</p> + <p>An' whizz'd on down upon the groun',</p> + <p>An' knock'd the bantam cock right down,</p> + <p class="i2">But up he sprung, a-teäkèn flight</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' tothers, cluckèn in a fright,</p> + <p class="i4">Vrom aunt in such a tantrum!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But Dick stole in, an' reach'd en down</p> + <p>The biggest blather to be voun',</p> + <p>An' crope an' put en out o' zight</p> + <p>Avore the vire, an' plimm'd en tight</p> + <p>An crack'd en wi' the slice thereright</p> + <p class="i2">She scream'd, an' bundled out o' house,</p> + <p class="i2">An' got so quiet as a mouse,—</p> + <p class="i4">It frighten'd off her tantrum.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page159" id="page159"></a><span class="left">[page 159]</span> + +<h4>THE STWONÈN PWORCH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A new house! Ees, indeed! a small</p> +<p>Straïght, upstart thing, that, after all,</p> +<p>Do teäke in only half the groun'</p> +<p>The wold woone did avore 'twer down;</p> +<p>Wi' little windows straïght an' flat,</p> +<p>Not big enough to zun a-cat,</p> +<p>An' dealèn door a-meäde so thin,</p> +<p>A puff o' wind would blow en in,</p> +<p>Where woone do vind a thing to knock</p> +<p>So small's the hammer ov a clock,</p> +<p>That wull but meäke a little click</p> +<p>About so loud's a clock do tick!</p> +<p>Gi'e me the wold house, wi' the wide</p> +<p>An' lofty-lo'ted rooms inside;</p> +<p>An' wi' the stwonèn pworch avore</p> +<p>The naïl-bestudded woaken door,</p> +<p>That had a knocker very little</p> +<p>Less to handle than a bittle,</p> +<p>That het a blow that vled so loud</p> +<p>Drough house as thunder drough a cloud.</p> +<p>An' meäde the dog behind the door</p> +<p>Growl out so deep's a bull do roar.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In all the house, o' young an' wold,</p> +<p>There werden woone but could a-twold</p> +<p>When he'd noo wish to seek abrode</p> +<p>Mwore jaÿ than thik wold pworch bestow'd!</p> +<p>For there, when yollow evenèn shed</p> +<p>His light ageän the elem's head,</p> +<p>An' gnots did whiver in the zun,</p> +<p>An' uncle's work wer all a-done,</p> +<p>His whiffs o' meltèn smoke did roll</p> +<p>Above his bendèn pipe's white bowl,</p><a name="page160" id="page160"></a><span class="left">[page 160]</span> +<p>While he did chat, or, zittèn dumb,</p> +<p>Injaÿ his thoughts as they did come.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' Jimmy, wi' his crowd below</p> +<p>His chin, did dreve his nimble bow</p> +<p>In tuèns vor to meäke us spring</p> +<p>A-reelèn, or in zongs to zing,</p> +<p>An' there, between the dark an' light,</p> +<p>Zot Poll by Willy's zide at night</p> +<p>A-whisp'rèn, while her eyes did zwim</p> +<p>In jaÿ avore the twilight dim;</p> +<p>An' when (to know if she wer near)</p> +<p>Aunt call'd, did cry, "Ees, mother; here."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, no; I woulden gi'e thee thanks</p> +<p>Vor fine white walls an' vloors o' planks,</p> +<p>Nor doors a-päinted up so fine.</p> +<p>If I'd a wold grey house o' mine,</p> +<p>Gi'e me vor all it should be small,</p> +<p>A stwonèn pworch instead ō't all.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p160" id="p160"></a> + +<h4>FARMER'S SONS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov all the chaps a-burnt so brown</p> + <p class="i2">By zunny hills an' hollors,</p> + <p>Ov all the whindlèn chaps in town</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' backs so weak as rollers,</p> + <p>There's narn that's half so light o' heart,</p> + <p class="i2">(I'll bet, if thou't zay "done," min,)</p> + <p>An' narn that's half so strong an' smart,</p> + <p class="i2">'S a merry farmer's son, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>He'll fling a stwone so true's a shot,</p> + <p class="i2">He'll jump so light's a cat;</p> + <p>He'll heave a waïght up that would squot</p> + <p class="i2">A weakly fellow flat.</p><a name="page161" id="page161"></a><span class="left">[page 161]</span> + <p>He wont gi'e up when things don't faÿ,</p> + <p class="i2">But turn em into fun, min;</p> + <p>An' what's hard work to zome, is plaÿ</p> + <p class="i2">Avore a farmer's son, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>His bwony eärm an' knuckly vist</p> + <p class="i2">('Tis best to meäke a friend o't)</p> + <p>Would het a fellow, that's a-miss'd,</p> + <p class="i2">Half backward wi' the wind o't.</p> + <p>Wi' such a chap at hand, a maïd</p> + <p class="i2">Would never goo a nun, min;</p> + <p>She'd have noo call to be afraïd</p> + <p class="i2">Bezide a farmer's son, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>He'll turn a vurrow, drough his langth,</p> + <p class="i2">So straïght as eyes can look,</p> + <p>Or pitch all day, wi' half his strangth,</p> + <p class="i2">At ev'ry pitch a pook;</p> + <p>An' then goo vower mile, or vive,</p> + <p class="i2">To vind his friends in fun, min,</p> + <p>Vor maïden's be but dead alive</p> + <p class="i2">'Ithout a farmer's son, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo jaÿ be in his heart so light,</p> + <p class="i2">An' manly feäce so brown;</p> + <p>An' health goo wi' en hwome at night,</p> + <p class="i2">Vrom meäd, or wood, or down.</p> + <p>O' rich an' poor, o' high an' low,</p> + <p class="i2">When all's a-said an' done, min,</p> + <p>The smartest chap that I do know,</p> + <p class="i2">'S a workèn farmer's son, min.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p161" id="p161"></a> + +<h4>JEÄNE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We now mid hope vor better cheer,</p> + <p>My smilèn wife o' twice vive year.</p> + <p>Let others frown, if thou bist near</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' hope upon thy brow, Jeäne;</p><a name="page162" id="page162"></a><span class="left">[page 162]</span> + <p>Vor I vu'st lov'd thee when thy light</p> + <p>Young sheäpe vu'st grew to woman's height;</p> + <p>I loved thee near, an' out o' zight,</p> + <p class="i2">An' I do love thee now, Jeäne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' we've a-trod the sheenèn bleäde</p> + <p>Ov eegrass in the zummer sheäde,</p> + <p>An' when the leäves begun to feäde</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' zummer in the weäne, Jeäne;</p> + <p>An' we've a-wander'd drough the groun'</p> + <p>O' swayèn wheat a-turnèn brown,</p> + <p>An' we've a-stroll'd together roun'</p> + <p class="i2">The brook an' drough the leäne, Jeane.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' nwone but I can ever tell</p> + <p>Ov all thy tears that have a-vell</p> + <p>When trials meäde thy bosom zwell,</p> + <p class="i2">An' nwone but thou o' mine, Jeäne;</p> + <p>An' now my heart, that heav'd wi' pride</p> + <p>Back then to have thee at my zide,</p> + <p>Do love thee mwore as years do slide,</p> + <p class="i2">An' leäve them times behine, Jeäne.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p162" id="p162"></a> + +<h4>THE DREE WOAKS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>By the brow o' thik hangèn I spent all my youth,</p> + <p class="i2">In the house that did peep out between</p> + <p>The dree woaks, that in winter avworded their lewth,</p> + <p class="i2">An' in zummer their sheäde to the green;</p> + <p>An' there, as in zummer we play'd at our geämes,</p> + <p class="i6">We ēach own'd a tree,</p> + <p class="i6">Vor we wer but dree,</p> + <p>An' zoo the dree woaks wer a-call'd by our neämes.</p></div> + +<a name="page163" id="page163"></a><span class="left">[page 163]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' two did grow scraggy out over the road,</p> + <p class="i2">An' they wer call'd Jimmy's an' mine;</p> + <p>An' tother wer Jeännet's, much kindlier grow'd,</p> + <p class="i2">Wi' a knotless an' white ribbèd rine.</p> + <p>An' there, o' fine nights avore gwäin in to rest,</p> + <p class="i6">We did dance, vull o' life,</p> + <p class="i6">To the sound o' the fife,</p> + <p>Or plaÿ at some geäme that poor Jeännet lik'd best.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Zoo happy wer we by the woaks o' the green,</p> + <p class="i2">Till we lost sister Jeännet, our pride;</p> + <p>Vor when she wer come to her last blushèn <i>teen</i>,</p> + <p class="i2">She suddenly zicken'd an' died.</p> + <p>An' avore the green leaves in the fall wer gone by,</p> + <p class="i6">The lightnèn struck dead</p> + <p class="i6">Her woaken tree's head,</p> + <p>An' left en a-stripp'd to the wintery sky.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But woone ov his eäcorns, a-zet in the Fall,</p> + <p class="i2">Come up the Spring after, below</p> + <p>The trees at her head-stwone 'ithin the church-wall,</p> + <p class="i2">An' mother, to see how did grow,</p> + <p>Shed a tear; an' when father an' she wer bwoth dead,</p> + <p class="i6">There they wer laid deep,</p> + <p class="i6">Wi' their Jeännet, to sleep,</p> + <p>Wi' her at his zide, an' her tree at her head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' vo'k do still call the wold house the dree woaks,</p> + <p class="i2">Vor thik is a-reckon'd that's down,</p> + <p>As mother, a-neämèn her childern to vo'ks,</p> + <p class="i2">Meäde dree when but two wer a-voun';</p> + <p>An' zaid that hereafter she knew she should zee</p> + <p class="i6">Why God, that's above,</p> + <p class="i6">Vound fit in his love</p> + <p>To strike wi' his han' the poor maïd an' her tree.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page164" id="page164"></a><span class="left">[page 164]</span> + +<h4>THE HWOMESTEAD A-VELL INTO HAND.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>The house where I wer born an' bred,</p> + <p class="i2">Did own his woaken door, John,</p> + <p>When vu'st he shelter'd father's head,</p> + <p class="i2">An' gramfer's long avore, John.</p> + <p>An' many a ramblèn happy chile,</p> + <p class="i2">An' chap so strong an' bwold,</p> + <p>An' bloomèn maïd wi' plaÿsome smile,</p> + <p class="i2">Did call their hwome o' wold</p> + <p class="i6">Thik ruf so warm,</p> + <p class="i6">A kept vrom harm</p> + <p>By elem trees that broke the storm.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' in the orcha'd out behind,</p> + <p class="i2">The apple-trees in row, John,</p> + <p>Did swaÿ wi' moss about their rind</p> + <p class="i2">Their heads a-noddèn low, John.</p> + <p>An' there, bezide zome groun' vor corn,</p> + <p class="i2">Two strips did skirt the road;</p> + <p>In woone the cow did toss her horn,</p> + <p class="i2">While tother wer a-mow'd,</p> + <p class="i6">In June, below</p> + <p class="i6">The lofty row</p> + <p>Ov trees that in the hedge did grow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>A-workèn in our little patch</p> + <p class="i2">O' parrock, rathe or leäte, John,</p> + <p>We little ho'd how vur mid stratch</p> + <p class="i2">The squier's wide esteäte, John.</p> + <p>Our hearts, so honest an' so true,</p> + <p class="i2">Had little vor to fear;</p> + <p>Vor we could pay up all their due</p> + <p class="i2">An' gi'e a friend good cheer</p> + <p class="i6">At hwome, below</p> + <p class="i6">The lofty row</p> + <p>O' trees a-swaÿèn to an' fro.</p></div> + +<a name="page165" id="page165"></a><span class="left">[page 165</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' there in het, an' there in wet,</p> + <p class="i2">We tweil'd wi' busy hands, John;</p> + <p>Vor ev'ry stroke o' work we het,</p> + <p class="i2">Did better our own lands, John.</p> + <p>But after me, ov all my kin,</p> + <p class="i2">Not woone can hold em on;</p> + <p>Vor we can't get a life put in</p> + <p class="i2">Vor mine, when I'm a-gone</p> + <p class="i6">Vrom thik wold brown</p> + <p class="i6">Thatch ruf, a-boun'</p> + <p>By elem trees a-growèn roun'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov eight good hwomes, where, I can mind</p> + <p class="i2">Vo'k liv'd upon their land, John,</p> + <p>But dree be now a-left behind;</p> + <p class="i2">The rest ha' vell in hand, John,</p> + <p>An' all the happy souls they ved</p> + <p class="i2">Be scatter'd vur an' wide.</p> + <p>An' zome o'm be a-wantèn bread,</p> + <p class="i2">Zome, better off, ha' died,</p> + <p class="i6">Noo mwore to ho,</p> + <p class="i6">Vor homes below</p> + <p>The trees a-swaÿen to an' fro.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>An' I could leäd ye now all round</p> + <p class="i2">The parish, if I would, John,</p> + <p>An' show ye still the very ground</p> + <p class="i2">Where vive good housen stood, John</p> + <p>In broken orcha'ds near the spot,</p> + <p class="i2">A vew wold trees do stand;</p> + <p>But dew do vall where vo'k woonce zot</p> + <p class="i2">About the burnèn brand</p> + <p class="i6">In housen warm,</p> + <p class="i6">A-kept vrom harm</p> + <p>By elems that did break the storm.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page166" id="page166"></a><span class="left">[page 166]</span> + +<h4>THE GUIDE POST.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why thik wold post so long kept out,</p> +<p>Upon the knap, his eärms astrout,</p> +<p>A-zendèn on the weary veet</p> +<p>By where the dree cross roads do meet;</p> +<p>An' I've a-come so much thik woy,</p> +<p>Wi' happy heart, a man or bwoy,</p> +<p>That I'd a-meäde, at last, a'móst</p> +<p>A friend o' thik wold guidèn post.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, wi' woone white eärm he show'd,</p> +<p>Down over bridge, the Leyton road;</p> +<p>Wi' woone, the leäne a-leädèn roun'</p> +<p>By Bradlinch Hill, an' on to town;</p> +<p>An' wi' the last, the way to turn</p> +<p>Drough common down to Rushiburn,—</p> +<p>The road I lik'd to goo the mwost</p> +<p>Ov all upon the guidèn post.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The Leyton road ha' lofty ranks</p> +<p>Ov elem trees upon his banks;</p> +<p>The woone athirt the hill do show</p> +<p>Us miles o' hedgy meäds below;</p> +<p>An' he to Rushiburn is wide</p> +<p>Wi' strips o' green along his zide,</p> +<p>An' ouer brown-ruf'd house a-móst</p> +<p>In zight o' thik wold guidèn post.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the haÿ-meäkers did zwarm</p> +<p>O' zummer evenèns out vrom farm.</p> +<p>The merry maïdens an' the chaps,</p> +<p>A-peärtèn there wi' jokes an' slaps,</p><a name="page167" id="page167"></a><span class="left">[page 167]</span> +<p>Did goo, zome woone way off, an' zome</p> +<p>Another, all a-zingèn hwome;</p> +<p>Vor vew o'm had to goo, at mwost,</p> +<p>A mile beyond the guidèn post.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Poor Nanny Brown, woone darkish night,</p> +<p>When he'd a-been a-païnted white,</p> +<p>Wer frighten'd, near the gravel pits,</p> +<p>So dead's a hammer into fits,</p> +<p>A-thinkèn 'twer the ghost she know'd</p> +<p>Did come an' haunt the Leyton road;</p> +<p>Though, after all, poor Nanny's ghost</p> +<p>Turn'd out to be the guidèn post.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p167" id="p167"></a> + +<h4>GWAIN TO FEÄIR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>To morrow stir so brisk's you can,</p> + <p>An' get your work up under han';</p> + <p>Vor I an' Jim, an' Poll's young man,</p> + <p class="i2">Shall goo to feäir; an' zoo,</p> + <p>If you wull let us gi'e ye a eärm</p> + <p>Along the road, or in the zwarm</p> + <p>O' vo'k, we'll keep ye out o' harm,</p> + <p class="i2">An' gi'e ye a feäirèn too.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>We won't stay leäte there, I'll be boun';</p> + <p>We'll bring our sheädes off out o' town</p> + <p>A mile, avore the zun is down,</p> + <p class="i2">If he's a sheenèn clear.</p> + <p>Zoo when your work is all a-done,</p> + <p>Your mother can't but let ye run</p> + <p>An' zee a little o' the fun,</p> + <p class="i2">There's nothèn there to fear.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page168" id="page168"></a><span class="left">[page 168]</span> + +<h4>JEÄNE O' GRENLEY MILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>When in happy times we met,</p> + <p class="i2">Then by look an' deed I show'd,</p> + <p>How my love wer all a-zet</p> + <p class="i2">In the smiles that she bestow'd.</p> + <p>She mid have, o' left an' right,</p> + <p>Maïdens feäirest to the zight;</p> + <p>I'd a-chose among em still,</p> + <p>Pretty Jeäne o' Grenley Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>She wer feäirer, by her cows</p> + <p class="i2">In her work-day frock a-drest,</p> + <p>Than the rest wi' scornvul brows</p> + <p class="i2">All a-flantèn in their best.</p> + <p>Gaÿ did seem, at feäst or feäir,</p> + <p>Zights that I had her to sheäre;</p> + <p>Gaÿ would be my own heart still,</p> + <p>But vor Jeäne o' Grenley Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Jeäne—a-checkèn ov her love—</p> + <p class="i2">Leän'd to woone that, as she guess'd,</p> + <p>Stood in worldly wealth above</p> + <p class="i2">Me she know'd she lik'd the best.</p> + <p>He wer wild, an' soon run drough</p> + <p>All that he'd a-come into,</p> + <p>Heartlessly a-treatèn ill</p> + <p>Pretty Jeäne o' Grenley Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! poor Jenny! thou'st a tore</p> + <p class="i2">Hopèn love vrom my poor heart,</p> + <p>Losèn vrom thy own small store,</p> + <p class="i2">All the better, sweeter peärt.</p> + <p>Hearts a-slighted must vorseäke</p> + <p>Slighters, though a-doom'd to break;</p> + <p>I must scorn, but love thee still,</p> + <p>Pretty Jeäne o' Grenley Mill.</p></div> + +<a name="page169" id="page169"></a><span class="left">[page 169]</span> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Oh! if ever thy soft eyes</p> + <p class="i2">Could ha' turn'd vrom outward show,</p> + <p>To a lover born to rise</p> + <p class="i2">When a higher woone wer low;</p> + <p>If thy love, when zoo a-tried,</p> + <p>Could ha' stood ageän thy pride,</p> + <p>How should I ha' lov'd thee still,</p> + <p>Pretty Jeäne o' Grenley Mill.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p169" id="p169"></a> + +<h4>THE BELLS OV ALDERBURNHAM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>While now upon the win' do zwell</p> + <p class="i2">The church-bells' evenèn peal, O,</p> + <p>Along the bottom, who can tell</p> + <p class="i2">How touch'd my heart do veel, O.</p> + <p>To hear ageän, as woonce they rung</p> + <p>In holidays when I wer young,</p> + <p class="i4">Wi' merry sound</p> + <p class="i4">A-ringèn round,</p> + <p class="i2">The bells ov Alderburnham.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Vor when they rung their gaÿest peals</p> + <p class="i2">O' zome sweet day o' rest, O,</p> + <p>We all did ramble drough the viels,</p> + <p class="i2">A-dress'd in all our best, O;</p> + <p>An' at the bridge or roarèn weir,</p> + <p>Or in the wood, or in the gleäre</p> + <p class="i4">Ov open ground,</p> + <p class="i4">Did hear ring round</p> + <p class="i2">The bells ov Alderburnham.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>They bells, that now do ring above</p> + <p class="i2">The young brides at church-door, O,</p> + <p>Woonce rung to bless their mother's love,</p> + <p class="i2">When they were brides avore, O.</p><a name="page170" id="page170"></a><span class="left">[page 170]</span> + <p>An' sons in tow'r do still ring on</p> + <p>The merry peals o' fathers gone,</p> + <p class="i4">Noo mwore to sound,</p> + <p class="i4">Or hear ring round,</p> + <p class="i2">The bells ov Alderburnham.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>Ov happy peäirs, how soon be zome</p> + <p class="i2">A-wedded an' a-peärted!</p> + <p>Vor woone ov jaÿ, what peals mid come</p> + <p class="i2">To zome o's broken-hearted!</p> + <p>The stronger mid the sooner die,</p> + <p>The gaÿer mid the sooner sigh;</p> + <p class="i4">An' who do know</p> + <p class="i4">What grief's below</p> + <p class="i2">The bells ov Alderburnham!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> + <p>But still 'tis happiness to know</p> + <p class="i2">That there's a God above us;</p> + <p>An' he, by day an' night, do ho</p> + <p class="i2">Vor all ov us, an' love us,</p> + <p>An' call us to His house, to heal</p> + <p>Our hearts, by his own Zunday peal</p> + <p class="i4">Ov bells a-rung</p> + <p class="i4">Vor wold an' young,</p> + <p class="i2">The bells ov Alderburnham.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p170" id="p170"></a> + +<h4>THE GIRT WOLD HOUSE O' MOSSY STWONE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The girt wold house o' mossy stwone,</p> +<p>Up there upon the knap alwone,</p> +<p>Had woonce a bleäzèn kitchèn-vier,</p> +<p>That cook'd vor poor-vo'k an' a squier.</p> +<p>The very last ov all the reäce</p> +<p>That liv'd the squier o' the pleäce,</p> +<p>Died off when father wer a-born,</p> +<p>An' now his kin be all vorlorn</p><a name="page171" id="page171"></a><span class="left">[page 171]</span> +<p>Vor ever,—vor he left noo son</p> +<p>To teäke the house o' mossy stwone.</p> +<p>An' zoo he vell to other hands,</p> +<p>An' gramfer took en wi' the lands:</p> +<p>An' there when he, poor man, wer dead,</p> +<p>My father shelter'd my young head.</p> +<p>An' if I wer a squier, I</p> +<p>Should like to spend my life, an' die</p> +<p>In thik wold house o' mossy stwone,</p> +<p>Up there upon the knap alwone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Don't talk ov housen all o' brick,</p> +<p>Wi' rockèn walls nine inches thick,</p> +<p>A-trigg'd together zide by zide</p> +<p>In streets, wi' fronts a straddle wide,</p> +<p>Wi' yards a-sprinkled wi' a mop,</p> +<p>Too little vor a vrog to hop;</p> +<p>But let me live an' die where I</p> +<p>Can zee the ground, an' trees, an' sky.</p> +<p>The girt wold house o' mossy stwone</p> +<p>Had wings vor either sheäde or zun:</p> +<p>Woone where the zun did glitter drough,</p> +<p>When vu'st he struck the mornèn dew;</p> +<p>Woone feäced the evenèn sky, an' woone</p> +<p>Push'd out a pworch to zweaty noon:</p> +<p>Zoo woone stood out to break the storm,</p> +<p>An' meäde another lew an' warm.</p> +<p>An' there the timber'd copse rose high,</p> +<p>Where birds did build an' heäres did lie,</p> +<p>An' beds o' grægles in the lew,</p> +<p>Did deck in Maÿ the ground wi' blue.</p> +<p>An' there wer hills an' slopèn grounds,</p> +<p>That they did ride about wi' hounds;</p> +<p>An' drough the meäd did creep the brook</p> +<p>Wi' bushy bank an' rushy nook,</p><a name="page172" id="page172"></a><span class="left">[page 172]</span> +<p>Where perch did lie in sheädy holes</p> +<p>Below the alder trees, an' shoals</p> +<p>O' gudgeon darted by, to hide</p> +<p>Theirzelves in hollows by the zide.</p> +<p>An' there by leänes a-windèn deep,</p> +<p>Wer mossy banks a-risèn steep;</p> +<p>An' stwonèn steps, so smooth an' wide,</p> +<p>To stiles an' vootpaths at the zide.</p> +<p>An' there, so big's a little ground,</p> +<p>The geärden wer a-wall'd all round:</p> +<p>An' up upon the wall wer bars</p> +<p>A-sheäped all out in wheels an' stars,</p> +<p>Vor vo'k to walk, an' look out drough</p> +<p>Vrom trees o' green to hills o' blue.</p> +<p>An' there wer walks o' peävement, broad</p> +<p>Enough to meäke a carriage-road,</p> +<p>Where steätely leädies woonce did use</p> +<p>To walk wi' hoops an' high-heel shoes,</p> +<p>When yonder hollow woak wer sound,</p> +<p>Avore the walls wer ivy-bound,</p> +<p>Avore the elems met above</p> +<p>The road between em, where they drove</p> +<p>Their coach all up or down the road</p> +<p>A-comèn hwome or gwaïn abroad.</p> +<p>The zummer aïr o' theäse green hill</p> +<p>'V a-heav'd in bosoms now all still,</p> +<p>An' all their hopes an' all their tears</p> +<p>Be unknown things ov other years.</p> +<p>But if, in heaven, souls be free</p> +<p>To come back here; or there can be</p> +<p>An e'thly pleäce to meäke em come</p> +<p>To zee it vrom a better hwome,—</p> +<p>Then what's a-twold us mid be right,</p> +<p>That still, at dead o' tongueless night,</p> +<p>Their gauzy sheäpes do come an' glide</p> +<p>By vootways o' their youthvul pride.</p></div> + +<a name="page173" id="page173"></a><span class="left">[page 173]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while the trees do stan' that grow'd</p> +<p>Vor them, or walls or steps they know'd</p> +<p>Do bide in pleäce, they'll always come</p> +<p>To look upon their e'thly hwome.</p> +<p>Zoo I would always let alwone</p> +<p>The girt wold house o' mossy stwone:</p> +<p>I woulden pull a wing o'n down,</p> +<p>To meäke ther speechless sheädes to frown;</p> +<p>Vor when our souls, mid woonce become</p> +<p>Lik' their's, all bodiless an' dumb,</p> +<p>How good to think that we mid vind</p> +<p>Zome thought vrom them we left behind,</p> +<p>An' that zome love mid still unite</p> +<p>The hearts o' blood wi' souls o' light.</p> +<p>Zoo, if 'twer mine, I'd let alwone</p> +<p>The girt wold house o' mossy stwone.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p173" id="p173"></a> + +<h4>A WITCH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's thik wold hag, Moll Brown, look zee, jus' past!</p> +<p>I wish the ugly sly wold witch</p> +<p>Would tumble over into ditch;</p> +<p>I woulden pull her out not very vast.</p> +<p>No, no. I don't think she's a bit belied,</p> +<p>No, she's a witch, aye, Molly's evil-eyed.</p> +<p>Vor I do know o' many a-withrèn blight</p> +<p>A-cast on vo'k by Molly's mutter'd spite;</p> +<p>She did, woone time, a dreadvul deäl o' harm</p> +<p>To Farmer Gruff's vo'k, down at Lower Farm.</p> +<p>Vor there, woone day, they happened to offend her,</p> +<p>An' not a little to their sorrow,</p> +<p>Because they woulden gi'e or lend her</p> +<p>Zome'hat she come to bag or borrow;</p> +<p>An' zoo, they soon began to vind</p> +<p>That she'd agone an' left behind</p><a name="page174" id="page174"></a><span class="left">[page 174]</span> +<p>Her evil wish that had such pow'r,</p> +<p>That she did meäke their milk an' eäle turn zour,</p> +<p>An' addle all the aggs their vowls did lay;</p> +<p>They coulden vetch the butter in the churn,</p> +<p>An' all the cheese begun to turn</p> +<p>All back ageän to curds an' whey;</p> +<p>The little pigs, a-runnèn wi' the zow,</p> +<p>Did zicken, zomehow, noobody know'd how,</p> +<p>An' vall, an' turn their snouts towárd the sky.</p> +<p>An' only gi'e woone little grunt, and die;</p> +<p>An' all the little ducks an' chickèn</p> +<p>Wer death-struck out in yard a-pickèn</p> +<p>Their bits o' food, an' vell upon their head,</p> +<p>An' flapp'd their little wings an' drapp'd down dead.</p> +<p>They coulden fat the calves, they woulden thrive;</p> +<p>They coulden seäve their lambs alive;</p> +<p>Their sheep wer all a-coath'd, or gi'ed noo wool;</p> +<p>The hosses vell away to skin an' bwones,</p> +<p>An' got so weak they coulden pull</p> +<p>A half a peck o' stwones:</p> +<p>The dog got dead-alive an' drowsy,</p> +<p>The cat vell zick an' woulden mousy;</p> +<p>An' every time the vo'k went up to bed,</p> +<p>They wer a-hag-rod till they wer half dead.</p> +<p>They us'd to keep her out o' house, 'tis true,</p> +<p>A-naïlèn up at door a hosses shoe;</p> +<p>An' I've a-heärd the farmer's wife did try</p> +<p>To dawk a needle or a pin</p> +<p>In drough her wold hard wither'd skin,</p> +<p>An' draw her blood, a-comèn by:</p> +<p>But she could never vetch a drap,</p> +<p>For pins would ply an' needless snap</p> +<p>Ageän her skin; an' that, in coo'se,</p> +<p>Did meäke the hag bewitch em woo'se.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> +<hr class="short" /><br /><br /> + +<a name="page175" id="page175"></a><span class="left">[page 175]</span> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>THE TIMES.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John an' Tom</i>.</h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, Tom, how be'st? Zoo thou'st a-got thy neäme</p> +<p>Among the leaguers, then, as I've a heärd.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, John, I have, John; an' I ben't afeärd</p> +<p>To own it. Why, who woulden do the seäme?</p> +<p>We shant goo on lik' this long, I can tell ye.</p> +<p>Bread is so high an' wages be so low,</p> +<p>That, after workèn lik' a hoss, you know,</p> +<p>A man can't eärn enough to vill his belly.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! well! Now there, d'ye know, if I wer sure</p> +<p>That theäsem men would gi'e me work to do</p> +<p>All drough the year, an' always pay me mwore</p> +<p>Than I'm a-eärnèn now, I'd jein em too.</p> +<p>If I wer sure they'd bring down things so cheap,</p> +<p>That what mid buy a pound o' mutton now</p> +<p>Would buy the hinder quarters, or the sheep,</p> +<p>Or what wull buy a pig would buy a cow:</p> +<p>In short, if they could meäke a shillèn goo</p> +<p>In market just so vur as two,</p> +<p>Why then, d'ye know, I'd be their man;</p> +<p>But, hang it! I don't think they can.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page176" id="page176"></a><span class="left">[page 176]</span> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why ees they can, though you don't know't,</p> +<p>An' theäsem men can meäke it clear.</p> +<p>Why vu'st they'd zend up members ev'ry year</p> +<p>To Parli'ment, an' ev'ry man would vote;</p> +<p>Vor if a fellow midden be a squier,</p> +<p>He mid be just so fit to vote, an' goo</p> +<p>To meäke the laws at Lon'on, too,</p> +<p>As many that do hold their noses higher.</p> +<p>Why shoulden fellows meäke good laws an' speeches</p> +<p>A-dressed in fusti'n cwoats an' cord'roy breeches?</p> +<p>Or why should hooks an' shovels, zives an' axes,</p> +<p>Keep any man vrom votèn o' the taxes?</p> +<p>An' when the poor've a-got a sheäre</p> +<p>In meäkèn laws, they'll teäke good ceäre</p> +<p>To meäke some good woones vor the poor.</p> +<p>Do stan' by reason, John; because</p> +<p>The men that be to meäke the laws,</p> +<p>Will meäke em vor theirzelves, you mid be sure.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees, that they wull. The men that you mid trust</p> +<p>To help you, Tom, would help their own zelves vu'st.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, aye. But we would have a better plan</p> +<p>O' votèn, than the woone we got. A man,</p> +<p>As things be now, d'ye know, can't goo an' vote</p> +<p>Ageän another man, but he must know't.</p> +<p>We'll have a box an' balls, vor votèn men</p> +<p>To pop their hands 'ithin, d'ye know; an' then,</p> +<p>If woone don't happen vor to lik' a man,</p> +<p>He'll drop a little black ball vrom his han',</p> +<p>An' zend en hwome ageän. He woon't be led</p> +<p>To choose a man to teäke away his bread.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page177" id="page177"></a><span class="left">[page 177]</span> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But if a man you midden like to 'front,</p> +<p>Should chance to call upon ye, Tom, zome day,</p> +<p>An' ax ye vor your vote, what could ye zay?</p> +<p>Why if you woulden answer, or should grunt</p> +<p>Or bark, he'd know you'd meän "I won't."</p> +<p>To promise woone a vote an' not to gi'e't,</p> +<p>Is but to be a liar an' a cheat.</p> +<p>An' then, bezides, when he did count the balls,</p> +<p>An' vind white promises a-turn'd half black;</p> +<p>Why then he'd think the voters all a pack</p> +<p>O' rogues together,—ev'ry woone o'm false.</p> +<p>An' if he had the power, very soon</p> +<p>Perhaps he'd vall upon em, ev'ry woone.</p> +<p>The times be pinchèn me, so well as you,</p> +<p>But I can't tell what ever they can do.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why meäke the farmers gi'e their leäbourèn men</p> +<p>Mwore wages,—half or twice so much ageän</p> +<p>As what they got.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <p class="i12">But, Thomas, you can't meäke</p> +<p>A man pay mwore away than he can teäke.</p> +<p>If you do meäke en gi'e, to till a vield,</p> +<p>So much ageän as what the groun' do yield,</p> +<p>He'll shut out farmèn—or he'll be a goose—</p> +<p>An' goo an' put his money out to use.</p> +<p>Wages be low because the hands be plenty;</p> +<p>They mid be higher if the hands wer skenty.</p> +<p>Leäbour, the seäme's the produce o' the yield,</p> +<p>Do zell at market price—jist what 'till yield.</p> +<p>Thou wouldsten gi'e a zixpence, I do guess,</p> +<p>Vor zix fresh aggs, if zix did zell for less.</p><a name="page178" id="page178"></a><span class="left">[page 178]</span> +<p>If theäsem vo'k could come an' meäke mwore lands,</p> +<p>If they could teäke wold England in their hands</p> +<p>An' stratch it out jist twice so big ageän,</p> +<p>They'd be a-doèn some'hat vor us then.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But if they wer a-zent to Parli'ment</p> +<p>To meäke the laws, dost know, as I've a-zaid,</p> +<p>They'd knock the corn-laws on the head;</p> +<p>An' then the landlards must let down their rent,</p> +<p>An' we should very soon have cheaper bread:</p> +<p>Farmers would gi'e less money vor their lands.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, zoo they mid, an' prices mid be low'r</p> +<p>Vor what their land would yield; an' zoo their hands</p> +<p>Would be jist where they wer avore.</p> +<p>An' if theäse men wer all to hold together,</p> +<p>They coulden meäke new laws to change the weather!</p> +<p>They ben't so mighty as to think o' frightenèn</p> +<p>The vrost an' raïn, the thunder an' the lightenèn!</p> +<p>An' as vor me, I don't know what to think</p> +<p>O' them there fine, big-talkèn, cunnèn,</p> +<p>Strange men, a-comèn down vrom Lon'on.</p> +<p>Why they don't stint theirzelves, but eat an' drink</p> +<p>The best at public-house where they do staÿ;</p> +<p>They don't work gratis, they do get their paÿ.</p> +<p>They woulden pinch theirzelves to do us good,</p> +<p>Nor gi'e their money vor to buy us food.</p> +<p>D'ye think, if we should meet em in the street</p> +<p>Zome day in Lon'on, they would stand a treat?</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>They be a-païd, because they be a-zent</p> +<p>By corn-law vo'k that be the poor man's friends,</p> +<p>To tell us all how we mid gaïn our ends,</p> +<p>A-zendèn peäpers up to Parli'ment.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page179" id="page179"></a><span class="left">[page 179]</span> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! teäke ceäre how dost trust em. Dost thou know</p> +<p>The funny feäble o' the pig an' crow?</p> +<p>Woone time a crow begun to strut an' hop</p> +<p>About some groun' that men'd a-been a-drillèn</p> +<p>Wi' barley or some wheat, in hopes o' villèn</p> +<p>Wi' good fresh corn his empty crop.</p> +<p>But lik' a thief, he didden like the païns</p> +<p>O' workèn hard to get en a vew graïns;</p> +<p>Zoo while the sleeky rogue wer there a-huntèn,</p> +<p>Wi' little luck, vor corns that mid be vound</p> +<p>A-peckèn vor, he heärd a pig a-gruntèn</p> +<p>Just tother zide o' hedge, in tother ground.</p> +<p>"Ah!" thought the cunnèn rogue, an' gi'ed a hop,</p> +<p>"Ah! that's the way vor me to vill my crop;</p> +<p>Aye, that's the plan, if nothèn don't defeät it.</p> +<p>If I can get thik pig to bring his snout</p> +<p>In here a bit an' turn the barley out,</p> +<p>Why, hang it! I shall only have to eat it."</p> +<p>Wi' that he vled up straïght upon a woak,</p> +<p>An' bowèn, lik' a man at hustèns, spoke:</p> +<p>"My friend," zaid he, "that's poorish livèn vor ye</p> +<p>In thik there leäze. Why I be very zorry</p> +<p>To zee how they hard-hearted vo'k do sarve ye.</p> +<p>You can't live there. Why! do they meän to starve ye?"</p> +<p>"Ees," zaid the pig, a-gruntèn, "ees;</p> +<p>What wi' the hosses an' the geese,</p> +<p>There's only docks an' thissles here to chaw.</p> +<p>Instead o' livèn well on good warm straw,</p> +<p>I got to grub out here, where I can't pick</p> +<p>Enough to meäke me half an ounce o' flick."</p> +<p>"Well," zaid the crow, "d'ye know, if you'll stan' that,</p> +<p>You mussen think, my friend, o' gettèn fat.</p> +<p>D'ye want some better keep? Vor if you do,</p> +<p>Why, as a friend, I be a-come to tell ye,</p><a name="page180" id="page180"></a><span class="left">[page 180]</span> +<p>That if you'll come an' jus' get drough</p> +<p>Theäse gap up here, why you mid vill your belly.</p> +<p>Why, they've a-been a-drillèn corn, d'ye know,</p> +<p>In theäse here piece o' groun' below;</p> +<p>An' if you'll just put in your snout,</p> +<p>An' run en up along a drill,</p> +<p>Why, hang it! you mid grub it out,</p> +<p>An' eat, an' eat your vill.</p> +<p>Their idden any fear that vo'k mid come,</p> +<p>Vor all the men be jist a-gone in hwome."</p> +<p>The pig, believèn ev'ry single word</p> +<p>That wer a-twold en by the cunnèn bird</p> +<p>Wer only vor his good, an' that 'twer true,</p> +<p>Just gi'ed a grunt, an' bundled drough,</p> +<p>An' het his nose, wi' all his might an' maïn,</p> +<p>Right up a drill, a-routèn up the graïn;</p> +<p>An' as the cunnèn crow did gi'e a caw</p> +<p>A-praisèn ō'n, oh! he did veel so proud!</p> +<p>An' work'd, an' blow'd, an' toss'd, an' ploughed</p> +<p>The while the cunnèn crow did vill his maw.</p> +<p>An' after workèn till his bwones</p> +<p>Did eäche, he soon begun to veel</p> +<p>That he should never get a meal,</p> +<p>Unless he dined on dirt an' stwones.</p> +<p>"Well," zaid the crow, "why don't ye eat?"</p> +<p>"Eat what, I wonder!" zaid the heäiry plougher.</p> +<p>A-brislèn up an' lookèn rather zour;</p> +<p>"I don't think dirt an' flints be any treat."</p> +<p>"Well," zaid the crow, "why you be blind.</p> +<p>What! don't ye zee how thick the corn do lie</p> +<p>Among the dirt? An' don't ye zee how I</p> +<p>Do pick up all that you do leäve behind?</p> +<p>I'm zorry that your bill should be so snubby."</p> +<p>"No," zaid the pig, "methinks that I do zee</p> +<p>My bill will do uncommon well vor thee,</p> +<p>Vor thine wull peck, an' mine wull grubby."</p><a name="page181" id="page181"></a><span class="left">[page 181]</span> +<p>An' just wi' this a-zaid by mister Flick</p> +<p>To mister Crow, wold John the farmer's man</p> +<p>Come up, a-zwingèn in his han'</p> +<p>A good long knotty stick,</p> +<p>An' laid it on, wi' all his might,</p> +<p>The poor pig's vlitches, left an' right;</p> +<p>While mister Crow, that talk'd so fine</p> +<p>O' friendship, left the pig behine,</p> +<p>An' vled away upon a distant tree,</p> +<p>Vor pigs can only grub, but crows can vlee.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, thik there teäle mid do vor childern's books:</p> +<p>But you wull vind it hardish for ye</p> +<p>To frighten me, John, wi' a storry</p> +<p>O' silly pigs an' cunnèn rooks.</p> +<p>If we be grubbèn pigs, why then, I s'pose,</p> +<p>The farmers an' the girt woones be the crows.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis very odd there idden any friend</p> +<p>To poor-vo'k hereabout, but men mus' come</p> +<p>To do us good away from tother end</p> +<p>Ov England! Han't we any frien's near hwome?</p> +<p>I mus' zay, Thomas, that 'tis rather odd</p> +<p>That strangers should become so very civil,—</p> +<p>That ouer vo'k be childern o' the Devil,</p> +<p>An' other vo'k be all the vo'k o' God!</p> +<p>If we've a-got a friend at all,</p> +<p>Why who can tell—I'm sure thou cassen—</p> +<p>But that the squier, or the pa'son,</p> +<p>Mid be our friend, Tom, after all?</p> +<p>The times be hard, 'tis true! an' they that got</p> +<p>His blessèns, shoulden let theirzelves vorget</p> +<p>How 'tis where the vo'k do never zet</p> +<p>A bit o' meat within their rusty pot.</p> +<a name="page182" id="page182"></a><span class="left">[page 182]</span> +<p>The man a-zittèn in his easy chair</p> +<p>To flesh, an' vowl, an' vish, should try to speäre</p> +<p>The poor theäse times, a little vrom his store;</p> +<p>An' if he don't, why sin is at his door.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>TOM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! we won't look to that; we'll have our right,—</p> +<p>If not by feäir meäns, then we wull by might.</p> +<p>We'll meäke times better vor us; we'll be free</p> +<p>Ov other vo'k an' others' charity.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! I do think you mid as well be quiet;</p> +<p>You'll meäke things wo'se, i'-ma'-be, by a riot.</p> +<p>You'll get into a mess, Tom, I'm afeärd;</p> +<p>You'll goo vor wool, an' then come hwome a-sheär'd.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<br /> + +<br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /> +<a name="page183" id="page183"></a><span class="left">[page 183]</span> + +<h1>POEMS OF RURAL LIFE.</h1> + +<br /><hr class="short" /><br /><br /> + +<h2>SECOND COLLECTION.</h2><br /><br /> +<a name="page185" id="page185"></a><span class="left">[page 185]</span> + +<h4>BLACKMWORE MAIDENS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The primrwose in the sheäde do blow,</p> +<p>The cowslip in the zun,</p> +<p>The thyme upon the down do grow,</p> +<p>The clote where streams do run;</p> +<p>An' where do pretty maïdens grow</p> +<p>An' blow, but where the tow'r</p> +<p>Do rise among the bricken tuns,</p> +<p>In Blackmwore by the Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you could zee their comely gaït,</p> +<p>An' prettÿ feäces' smiles,</p> +<p>A-trippèn on so light o' waïght,</p> +<p>An' steppèn off the stiles;</p> +<p>A-gwaïn to church, as bells do swing</p> +<p>An' ring 'ithin the tow'r,</p> +<p>You'd own the pretty maïdens' pleäce</p> +<p>Is Blackmwore by the Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you vrom Wimborne took your road,</p> +<p>To Stower or Paladore,</p> +<p>An' all the farmers' housen show'd</p> +<p>Their daughters at the door;</p> +<p>You'd cry to bachelors at hwome—</p> +<p>"Here, come: 'ithin an hour</p> +<p>You'll vind ten maïdens to your mind,</p> +<p>In Blackmwore by the Stour."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' if you look'd 'ithin their door,</p> +<p>To zee em in their pleäce,</p> +<a name="page186" id="page186"></a><span class="left">[page 186]</span> +<p>A-doèn housework up avore</p> +<p>Their smilèn mother's feäce;</p> +<p>You'd cry—"Why, if a man would wive</p> +<p>An' thrive, 'ithout a dow'r,</p> +<p>Then let en look en out a wife</p> +<p>In Blackmwore by the Stour."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I upon my road did pass</p> +<p>A school-house back in Maÿ,</p> +<p>There out upon the beäten grass</p> +<p>Wer maïdens at their plaÿ;</p> +<p>An' as the pretty souls did tweil</p> +<p>An' smile, I cried, "The flow'r</p> +<p>O' beauty, then, is still in bud</p> +<p>In Blackmwore by the Stour."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p186" id="p186"></a> + +<h4>MY ORCHA'D IN LINDEN LEA.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Ithin the woodlands, flow'ry gleäded,</p> +<p class="i2">By the woak tree's mossy moot,</p> +<p>The sheenèn grass-bleädes, timber-sheäded,</p> +<p class="i2">Now do quiver under voot;</p> +<p>An' birds do whissle over head,</p> +<p>An' water's bubblèn in its bed,</p> +<p>An' there vor me the apple tree</p> +<p>Do leän down low in Linden Lea.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When leaves that leätely wer a-springèn</p> +<p class="i2">Now do feäde 'ithin the copse,</p> +<p>An' païnted birds do hush their zingèn</p> +<p class="i2">Up upon the timber's tops;</p> +<p>An' brown-leav'd fruit's a-turnèn red,</p> +<p>In cloudless zunsheen, over head,</p> +<p>Wi' fruit vor me, the apple tree</p> +<p>Do leän down low in Linden Lea.</p></div> + +<a name="page187" id="page187"></a><span class="left">[page 187]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Let other vo'k meäke money vaster</p> +<p class="i2">In the aïr o' dark-room'd towns,</p> +<p>I don't dread a peevish meäster;</p> +<p class="i2">Though noo man do heed my frowns,</p> +<p>I be free to goo abrode,</p> +<p>Or teäke ageän my hwomeward road</p> +<p>To where, vor me, the apple tree</p> +<p>Do leän down low in Linden Lea.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p187" id="p187"></a> + +<h4>BISHOP'S CAUNDLE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At peace day, who but we should goo</p> +<p>To Caundle vor an' hour or two:</p> +<p>As gaÿ a day as ever broke</p> +<p>Above the heads o' Caundle vo'k,</p> +<p>Vor peace, a-come vor all, did come</p> +<p>To them wi' two new friends at hwome.</p> +<p>Zoo while we kept, wi' nimble peäce,</p> +<p>The wold dun tow'r avore our feäce,</p> +<p>The aïr, at last, begun to come</p> +<p>Wi' drubbèns ov a beäten drum;</p> +<p>An' then we heärd the horns' loud droats</p> +<p>Plaÿ off a tuen's upper notes;</p> +<p>An' then ageän a-risèn cheärm</p> +<p>Vrom tongues o' people in a zwarm:</p> +<p>An' zoo, at last, we stood among</p> +<p>The merry feäces o' the drong.</p> +<p>An' there, wi' garlands all a-tied</p> +<p>In wreaths an' bows on every zide,</p> +<p>An' color'd flags, a fluttrèn high</p> +<p>An' bright avore the sheenèn sky,</p> +<p>The very guide-post wer a-drest</p> +<p>Wi' posies on his eärms an' breast.</p> +<p>At last, the vo'k zwarm'd in by scores</p></div> + +<a name="page188" id="page188"></a><span class="left">[page 188]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' hundreds droo the high barn-doors,</p> +<p>To dine on English feäre, in ranks,</p> +<p>A-zot on chairs, or stools, or planks,</p> +<p>By bwoards a-reachèn, row an' row,</p> +<p>Wi' cloths so white as driven snow.</p> +<p>An' while they took, wi' merry cheer,</p> +<p>Their pleäces at the meat an' beer,</p> +<p>The band did blow an' beät aloud</p> +<p>Their merry tuèns to the crowd;</p> +<p>An' slowly-zwingèn flags did spread</p> +<p>Their hangèn colors over head.</p> +<p>An' then the vo'k, wi' jaÿ an' pride,</p> +<p>Stood up in stillness, zide by zide,</p> +<p>Wi' downcast heads, the while their friend</p> +<p>Rose up avore the teäble's end,</p> +<p>An' zaid a timely greäce, an' blest</p> +<p>The welcome meat to every guest.</p> +<p>An' then arose a mingled naïse</p> +<p>O' knives an' pleätes, an' cups an' traÿs,</p> +<p>An' tongues wi' merry tongues a-drown'd</p> +<p>Below a deaf'nèn storm o' sound.</p> +<p>An' zoo, at last, their worthy host</p> +<p>Stood up to gi'e em all a twoast,</p> +<p>That they did drink, wi' shouts o' glee,</p> +<p>An' whirlèn eärms to dree times dree.</p> +<p>An' when the bwoards at last wer beäre</p> +<p>Ov all the cloths an' goodly feäre,</p> +<p>An' froth noo longer rose to zwim</p> +<p>Within the beer-mugs sheenèn rim,</p> +<p>The vo'k, a-streamèn drough the door,</p> +<p>Went out to geämes they had in store</p> +<p>An' on the blue-reäv'd waggon's bed,</p> +<p>Above his vower wheels o' red,</p> +<p>Musicians zot in rows, an' plaÿ'd</p> +<p>Their tuèns up to chap an' maïd,</p> +<p>That beät, wi' plaÿsome tooes an' heels,</p></div> + +<a name="page189" id="page189"></a><span class="left">[page 189]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The level ground in nimble reels.</p> +<p>An' zome ageän, a-zet in line,</p> +<p>An' startèn at a given sign,</p> +<p>Wi' outreach'd breast, a-breathèn quick</p> +<p>Droo op'nèn lips, did nearly kick</p> +<p>Their polls, a-runnèn sich a peäce,</p> +<p>Wi' streamèn heäir, to win the reäce.</p> +<p>An' in the house, an' on the green,</p> +<p>An' in the shrubb'ry's leafy screen,</p> +<p>On ev'ry zide we met sich lots</p> +<p>O' smilèn friends in happy knots,</p> +<p>That I do think, that drough the feäst</p> +<p>In Caundle, vor a day at leäst,</p> +<p>You woudden vind a scowlèn feäce</p> +<p>Or dumpy heart in all the pleäce.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p189" id="p189"></a> + +<h4>HAY MEAKEN—NUNCHEN TIME.</h4> + +<h4><i>Anne an' John a-ta'kèn o't.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Back here, but now, the jobber John</p> +<p class="i2"> Come by, an' cried, "Well done, zing on,</p> +<p class="i2"> I thought as I come down the hill,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' heärd your zongs a-ringèn sh'ill,</p> +<p class="i2"> Who woudden like to come, an' fling</p> +<p class="i2"> A peäir o' prongs where you did zing?"</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Aye, aye, he woudden vind it plaÿ,</p> +<p class="i2"> To work all day a-meäkèn haÿ,</p> +<p class="i2"> Or pitchèn o't, to eärms a-spread</p> +<p class="i2"> By lwoaders, yards above his head,</p> +<p class="i2"> 'T'ud meäke en wipe his drippèn brow.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Or else a-reäken after plow.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Or workèn, wi' his nimble pick,</p> +<p class="i2"> A-stiffled wi' the haÿ, at rick.</p> +</div> + +<a name="page190" id="page190"></a><span class="left">[page 190]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Our Company would suit en best,</p> +<p class="i2"> When we do teäke our bit o' rest,</p> +<p class="i2"> At nunch, a-gather'd here below</p> +<p class="i2"> The sheäde theäse wide-bough'd woak do drow,</p> +<p class="i2"> Where hissèn froth mid rise, an' float</p> +<p class="i2"> In horns o' eäle, to wet his droat.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Aye, if his zwellèn han' could drag</p> +<p class="i2"> A meat-slice vrom his dinner bag.</p> +<p class="i2"> 'T'ud meäke the busy little chap</p> +<p class="i2"> Look rather glum, to zee his lap</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' all his meal ov woone dry croust,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' vinny cheese so dry as doust.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Well, I don't grumble at my food,</p> +<p class="i2"> 'Tis wholesome, John, an' zoo 'tis good.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Whose reäke is that a-lyèn there?</p> +<p class="i2"> Do look a bit the woo'se vor wear.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Oh! I mus' get the man to meäke</p> +<p class="i2"> A tooth or two vor thik wold reäke,</p> +<p class="i2"> 'Tis leäbour lost to strik a stroke</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' him, wi' half his teeth a-broke.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. I should ha' thought your han' too fine</p> +<p class="i2"> To break your reäke, if I broke mine.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. The ramsclaws thin'd his wooden gum</p> +<p class="i2"> O' two teeth here, an' here were zome</p> +<p class="i2"> That broke when I did reäke a patch</p> +<p class="i2"> O' groun' wi' Jimmy, vor a match:</p> +<p class="i2"> An' here's a gap ov woone or two</p> +<p class="i2"> A-broke by Simon's clumsy shoe,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' when I gi'ed his poll a poke,</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor better luck, another broke.</p> +<p class="i2"> In what a veag have you a-swung</p> +<p class="i2"> Your pick, though, John? His stem's a-sprung.</p></div> + +<a name="page191" id="page191"></a><span class="left">[page 191]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. When I an' Simon had a het</p> +<p class="i2"> O' pookèn, yonder, vor a bet,</p> +<p class="i2"> The prongs o'n gi'ed a tump a poke,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' then I vound the stem a-broke,</p> +<p class="i2"> Bût they do meäke the stems o' picks</p> +<p class="i2"> O' stuff so brittle as a kicks.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. There's poor wold Jeäne, wi' wrinkled skin,</p> +<p class="i2"> A-tellèn, wi' her peakèd chin,</p> +<p class="i2"> Zome teäle ov her young days, poor soul.</p> +<p class="i2"> Do meäke the young-woones smile. 'Tis droll.</p> +<p class="i2"> What is it? Stop, an' let's goo near.</p> +<p class="i2"> I do like theäse wold teäles. Let's hear.</p> + </div></div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p191" id="p191"></a> + +<h4>A FATHER OUT, AN' MOTHER HWOME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The snow-white clouds did float on high</p> +<p>In shoals avore the sheenèn sky,</p> +<p>An' runnèn weäves in pon' did cheäse</p> +<p>Each other on the water's feäce,</p> +<p>As hufflèn win' did blow between</p> +<p>The new-leav'd boughs o' sheenèn green.</p> +<p>An' there, the while I walked along</p> +<p>The path, drough leäze, above the drong,</p> +<p>A little maïd, wi' bloomèn feäce,</p> +<p>Went on up hill wi' nimble peäce,</p> +<p>A-leänèn to the right-han' zide,</p> +<p>To car a basket that did ride,</p> +<p>A-hangèn down, wi' all his heft,</p> +<p>Upon her elbow at her left.</p> +<p>An' yet she hardly seem'd to bruise</p> +<p>The grass-bleädes wi' her tiny shoes,</p> +<p>That pass'd each other, left an' right.</p> +<p>In steps a'most too quick vor zight.</p> +<p>But she'd a-left her mother's door</p> +<p>A-bearèn vrom her little store</p></div> + +<a name="page192" id="page192"></a><span class="left">[page 192]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her father's welcome bit o' food,</p> +<p>Where he wer out at work in wood;</p> +<p>An' she wer bless'd wi' mwore than zwome—</p> +<p>A father out, an' mother hwome.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, a-vell'd 'ithin the copse,</p> +<p>Below the timber's new-leav'd tops,</p> +<p>Wer ashèn poles, a-castèn straïght,</p> +<p>On primrwose beds, their langthy waïght;</p> +<p>Below the yollow light, a-shed</p> +<p>Drough boughs upon the vi'let's head,</p> +<p>By climèn ivy, that did reach,</p> +<p>A sheenèn roun' the dead-leav'd beech.</p> +<p>An' there her father zot, an' meäde</p> +<p>His hwomely meal bezide a gleäde;</p> +<p>While she, a-croopèn down to ground,</p> +<p>Did pull the flowers, where she vound</p> +<p>The droopèn vi'let out in blooth,</p> +<p>Or yollow primrwose in the lewth,</p> +<p>That she mid car em proudly back,</p> +<p>An' zet em on her mother's tack;</p> +<p>Vor she wer bless'd wi' mwore than zwome—</p> +<p>A father out, an' mother hwome.</p> +<p>A father out, an' mother hwome,</p> +<p>Be blessèns soon a-lost by zome;</p> +<p>A-lost by me, an' zoo I pray'd</p> +<p>They mid be speär'd the little maïd.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p192" id="p192"></a> + +<h4>RIDDLES.</h4> + +<h4><i>Anne an' Joey a-ta'ken.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. A plague! theäse cow wont stand a bit,</p> +<p class="i2"> Noo sooner do she zee me zit</p> +<p class="i2"> Ageän her, than she's in a trot,</p> +<p class="i2"> A-runnèn to zome other spot.</p></div> + +<a name="page193" id="page193"></a><span class="left">[page 193]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Why 'tis the dog do sceäre the cow,</p> +<p class="i2"> He worried her a-vield benow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Goo in, Ah! <i>Liplap</i>, where's your taïl!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. He's off, then up athirt the raïl.</p> +<p class="i2"> Your cow there, Anne's a-come to hand</p> +<p class="i2"> A goodish milcher. A. If she'd stand, </p> +<p class="i2"> But then she'll steäre an' start wi' fright</p> +<p class="i2"> To zee a dumbledore in flight.</p> +<p class="i2"> Last week she het the païl a flought,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' flung my meal o' milk half out.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Ha! Ha! But Anny, here, what lout</p> +<p class="i2"> Broke half your small païl's bottom out?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. What lout indeed! What, do ye own</p> +<p class="i2"> The neäme? What dropp'd en on a stwone?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Hee! Hee! Well now he's out o' trim</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' only half a bottom to en;</p> +<p class="i2"> Could you still vill en' to the brim</p> +<p class="i2"> An' yit not let the milk run drough en?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Aye, as for nonsense, Joe, your head</p> +<p class="i2"> Do hold it all so tight's a blather,</p> +<p class="i2"> But if 'tis any good, do shed</p> +<p class="i2"> It all so leäky as a lather.</p> +<p class="i2"> Could you vill païls 'ithout a bottom,</p> +<p class="i2"> Yourself that be so deeply skill'd?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Well, ees, I could, if I'd a-got em</p> +<p class="i2"> Inside o' bigger woones a-vill'd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. La! that <i>is</i> zome'hat vor to hatch!</p> +<p class="i2"> Here answer me theäse little catch.</p> +<p class="i2"> Down under water an' o' top o't</p> +<p class="i2"> I went, an' didden touch a drop o't,</p></div> + +<a name="page194" id="page194"></a><span class="left">[page 194]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Not when at mowèn time I took</p> +<p class="i2"> An' pull'd ye out o' Longmeäd brook,</p> +<p class="i2"> Where you'd a-slidder'd down the edge</p> +<p class="i2"> An' zunk knee-deep bezide the zedge,</p> +<p class="i2"> A-tryèn to reäke out a clote.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Aye I do hear your chucklèn droat</p> +<p class="i2"> When I athirt the brudge did bring</p> +<p class="i2"> Zome water on my head vrom spring.</p> +<p class="i2"> Then under water an' o' top o't,</p> +<p class="i2"> Wer I an' didden touch a drop o't.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. O Lauk! What thik wold riddle still,</p> +<p class="i2"> Why that's as wold as Duncliffe Hill;</p> +<p class="i2"> "A two-lagg'd thing do run avore</p> +<p class="i2"> An' run behind a man,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' never run upon his lags</p> +<p class="i2"> Though on his lags do stan'.</p> +<p class="i4"> What's that?</p> +<p class="i4"> I don't think you do know.</p> +<p class="i2"> There idden sich a thing to show.</p> +<p class="i2"> Not know? Why yonder by the stall</p> +<p class="i2"> 'S a wheel-barrow bezide the wall,</p> +<p class="i2"> Don't he stand on his lags so trim,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' run on nothèn but his wheels wold rim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. There's <i>horn</i> vor Goodman's eye-zight seäke;</p> +<p class="i2"> There's <i>horn</i> vor Goodman's mouth to teäke;</p> +<p class="i2"> There's <i>horn</i> vor Goodman's ears, as well</p> +<p class="i2"> As <i>horn</i> vor Goodman's nose to smell—</p> +<p class="i2"> What <i>horns</i> be they, then? Do your hat</p> +<p class="i2"> Hold wit enough to tell us that?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Oh! <i>horns</i>! but no, I'll tell ye what,</p> +<p class="i2"> My cow is hornless, an' she's <i>knot</i>.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. <i>Horn</i> vor the <i>mouth's</i> a hornèn cup.</p></div> + +<a name="page195" id="page195"></a><span class="left">[page 195]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. An' eäle's good stuff to vill en up.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. An' <i>horn</i> vor <i>eyes</i> is horn vor light,</p> +<p class="i2"> Vrom Goodman's lantern after night;</p> +<p class="i2"> <i>Horn</i> vor the <i>ears</i> is woone to sound</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor hunters out wi' ho'se an' hound;</p> +<p class="i2"> But <i>horn</i> that vo'k do buy to smell o'</p> +<p class="i2"> Is <i>hart's-horn</i>. J. Is it? What d'ye tell o'</p> +<p class="i2"> How proud we be, vor ben't we smart?</p> +<p class="i2"> Aye, <i>horn</i> is <i>horn</i>, an' hart is hart.</p> +<p class="i2"> Well here then, Anne, while we be at it,</p> +<p class="i2"> 'S a ball vor you if you can bat it.</p> +<p class="i2"> On dree-lags, two-lags, by the zide</p> +<p class="i2"> O' vower-lags, woonce did zit wi' pride,</p> +<p class="i2"> When vower-lags, that velt a prick,</p> +<p class="i2"> Vrom zix-lags, het two lags a kick.</p> +<p class="i2"> An' two an' dree-lags vell, all vive,</p> +<p class="i2"> Slap down, zome dead an' zome alive.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Teeh! heeh! what have ye now then, Joe,</p> +<p class="i2"> At last, to meäke a riddle o'?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Your dree-lagg'd stool woone night did bear</p> +<p class="i2"> Up you a milkèn wi' a peäir;</p> +<p class="i2"> An' there a zix-lagg'd stout did prick</p> +<p class="i2"> Your vow'r-lagg'd cow, an meäke her kick,</p> +<p class="i2"> A-hettèn, wi' a pretty pat,</p> +<p class="i2"> Your stool an' you so flat's a mat.</p> +<p class="i2"> You scrambled up a little dirty,</p> +<p class="i2"> But I do hope it didden hurt ye.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. You hope, indeed! a likely ceäse,</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' thik broad grin athirt your feäce</p> +<p class="i2"> You saucy good-vor-nothèn chap,</p> +<p class="i2"> I'll gi'e your grinnèn feäce a slap,</p> +<p class="i2"> Your drawlèn tongue can only run</p> +<p class="i2"> To turn a body into fun.</p></div> + +<a name="page196" id="page196"></a><span class="left">[page 196]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>J. Oh! I woont do 't ageän. Oh dear!</p> +<p class="i2"> Till next time, Anny. Oh my ear!</p> +<p class="i2"> Oh! Anne, why you've a-het my hat</p> +<p class="i2"> 'Ithin the milk, now look at that.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A. Do sar ye right, then, I don't ceäre.</p> +<p class="i2"> I'll thump your noddle,—there—there—there.</p> + </div></div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p196" id="p196"></a> + +<h4>DAY'S WORK A-DONE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And oh! the jaÿ our rest did yield,</p> +<p class="i2">At evenèn by the mossy wall,</p> +<p>When we'd a-work'd all day a-vield,</p> +<p class="i2">While zummer zuns did rise an' vall;</p> +<p class="i4">As there a-lettèn</p> +<p class="i4">Goo all frettèn,</p> +<p>An' vorgettèn all our tweils,</p> +<p>We zot among our childern's smiles.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' under skies that glitter'd white,</p> +<p class="i2">The while our smoke, arisèn blue,</p> +<p>Did melt in aiër, out o' zight,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the trees that kept us lew;</p> +<p class="i4">Wer birds a-zingèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Tongues a-ringèn,</p> +<p>Childern springèn, vull o' jaÿ,</p> +<p>A-finishèn the day in plaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' back behind, a-stannèn tall,</p> +<p class="i2">The cliff did sheen to western light;</p> +<p>An' while avore the water-vall,</p> +<p class="i2">A-rottlèn loud, an' foamèn white.</p> +<p class="i4">The leaves did quiver,</p> +<p class="i4">Gnots did whiver,</p> +<p>By the river, where the pool,</p> +<p>In evenèn aïr did glissen cool.</p></div> + +<a name="page197" id="page197"></a><span class="left">[page 197]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' childern there, a-runnèn wide,</p> +<p class="i2">Did plaÿ their geämes along the grove,</p> +<p>Vor though to us 'twer jaÿ to bide</p> +<p class="i2">At rest, to them 'twer jaÿ to move.</p> +<p class="i4">The while my smilèn</p> +<p class="i4">Jeäne, beguilèn,</p> +<p>All my tweilèn, wi' her ceäre,</p> +<p>Did call me to my evenèn feäre.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p197-1" id="p197-1"></a> + +<h4>LIGHT OR SHEÄDE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A Maÿtide's evenèn wer a-dyèn,</p> +<p>Under moonsheen, into night,</p> +<p>Wi' a streamèn wind a-sighèn</p> +<p>By the thorns a-bloomèn white.</p> +<p>Where in sheäde, a-zinkèn deeply,</p> +<p>Wer a nook, all dark but lew,</p> +<p>By a bank, arisèn steeply,</p> +<p>Not to let the win' come drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Should my love goo out, a-showèn</p> +<p>All her smiles, in open light;</p> +<p>Or, in lewth, wi' wind a-blowèn,</p> +<p>Staÿ in darkness, dim to zight?</p> +<p>Staÿ in sheäde o' bank or wallèn,</p> +<p>In the warmth, if not in light;</p> +<p>Words alwone vrom her a-vallèn,</p> +<p>Would be jaÿ vor all the night.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p197-2" id="p197-2"></a> + +<h4>THE WAGGON A-STOODED.</h4> + +<h4><i>Dree o'm a-ta'kèn o't.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Well, here we be, then, wi' the vu'st poor lwoad</p> +<p class="i4">O' vuzz we brought, a-stoodèd in the road.</p></div> + +<a name="page198" id="page198"></a><span class="left">[page 198]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) The road, George, no. There's na'r a road. That's wrong.</p> +<p class="i4">If we'd a road, we mid ha' got along.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Noo road! Ees 'tis, the road that we do goo.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) Do goo, George, no. The pleäce we can't get drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Well, there, the vu'st lwoad we've a-haul'd to day</p> +<p class="i4">Is here a-stoodèd in theäse bed o' clay.</p> +<p class="i4">Here's rotten groun'! an' how the wheels do cut!</p> +<p class="i4">The little woone's a-zunk up to the nut.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) An' yeet this rotten groun' don't reach a lug.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Well, come, then, gi'e the plow another tug.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) They meäres wull never pull the waggon out,</p> +<p class="i4">A-lwoaded, an' a-stoodèd in thik rout.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) We'll try. Come, <i>Smiler</i>, come! C'up, <i>Whitevoot</i>, gee!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) White-voot wi' lags all over mud! Hee! Hee!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) 'Twoon't wag. We shall but snap our gear,</p> +<p class="i4">An' overstraïn the meäres. 'Twoon't wag, 'tis clear.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) That's your work, William. No, in coo'se, 'twoon't wag.</p> +<p class="i4">Why did ye drēve en into theäse here quag?</p> +<p class="i4">The vore-wheels be a-zunk above the nuts.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) What then? I coulden leäve the beäten track,</p> +<p class="i4">To turn the waggon over on the back</p> +<p class="i4">Ov woone o' theäsem wheel-high emmet-butts.</p> +<p class="i4">If you be sich a drēver, an' do know't,</p> +<p class="i4">You drēve the plow, then; but you'll overdrow 't.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) I drēve the plow, indeed! Oh! ees, what, now</p> +<p class="i4">The wheels woont wag, then, <i>I</i> mid drēve the plow!</p> +<p class="i4">We'd better dig away the groun' below</p> +<p class="i4">The wheels. (2) There's na'r a speäde to dig wi'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) An' teäke an' cut a lock o' frith, an' drow</p> +<p class="i4">Upon the clay. (2) Nor hook to cut a twig wi'.</p></div> + +<a name="page199" id="page199"></a><span class="left">[page 199]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Oh! here's a bwoy a-comèn. Here, my lad,</p> +<p class="i4">Dost know vor a'r a speäde, that can be had?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(B) At father's. (1) Well, where's that? (Bwoy) At Sam'el Riddick's.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Well run, an' ax vor woone. Fling up your heels,</p> +<p class="i4">An' mind: a speäde to dig out theäsem wheels,</p> +<p class="i4">An' hook to cut a little lock o' widdicks.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Why, we shall want zix ho'ses, or a dozen,</p> +<p class="i4">To pull the waggon out, wi' all theäse vuzzen.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Well, we mus' lighten en; come, Jeämes, then, hop</p> +<p class="i4">Upon the lwoad, an' jus' fling off the top.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) If I can clim' en; but 'tis my consaït,</p> +<p class="i4">That I shall overzet en wi' my waïght.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) You overzet en! No, Jeämes, he won't vall,</p> +<p class="i4">The lwoad's a-built so firm as any wall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) Here! lend a hand or shoulder vor my knee</p> +<p class="i4">Or voot. I'll scramble to the top an' zee</p> +<p class="i4">What I can do. Well, here I be, among</p> +<p class="i4">The fakkets, vor a bit, but not vor long.</p> +<p class="i4">Heigh, George! Ha! ha! Why this wull never stand.</p> +<p class="i4">Your firm 's a wall, is all so loose as zand;</p> +<p class="i4">'Tis all a-come to pieces. Oh! Teäke ceäre!</p> +<p class="i4">Ho! I'm a-vallèn, vuzz an' all! Haë! There!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Lo'k there, thik fellor is a-vell lik' lead,</p> +<p class="i4">An' half the fuzzen wi 'n, heels over head!</p> +<p class="i4">There's all the vuzz a-lyèn lik' a staddle,</p> +<p class="i4">An' he a-deäb'd wi' mud. Oh! Here's a caddle!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) An' zoo you soon got down zome vuzzen, Jimmy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) Ees, I do know 'tis down. I brought it wi' me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Your lwoad, George, wer a rather slick-built thing,</p> +<p class="i4">But there, 'twer prickly vor the hands! Did sting?</p></div> + +<a name="page200" id="page200"></a><span class="left">[page 200]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Oh! ees, d'ye teäke me vor a nincompoop,</p> +<p class="i4">No, no. The lwoad wer up so firm's a rock,</p> +<p class="i4">But two o' theäsem emmet-butts would knock</p> +<p class="i4">The tightest barrel nearly out o' hoop.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Oh! now then, here 's the bwoy a-bringèn back</p> +<p class="i4">The speäde. Well done, my man. That idder slack.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) Well done, my lad, sha't have a ho'se to ride</p> +<p class="i4">When thou'st a meäre. (Bwoy) Next never's-tide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Now let's dig out a spit or two</p> +<p class="i4">O' clay, a-vore the little wheels;</p> +<p class="i4">Oh! so's, I can't pull up my heels,</p> +<p class="i4">I be a-stogg'd up over shoe.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Come, William, dig away! Why you do spuddle</p> +<p class="i4">A'most so weak's a child. How you do muddle!</p> +<p class="i4">Gi'e me the speäde a-bit. A pig would rout</p> +<p class="i4">It out a'most so nimbly wi' his snout.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Oh! so's, d'ye hear it, then. How we can thunder!</p> +<p class="i4">How big we be, then George! what next I wonder?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Now, William, gi'e the waggon woone mwore twitch,</p> +<p class="i4">The wheels be free, an' 'tis a lighter nitch.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) Come, <i>Smiler</i>, gee! C'up, <i>White-voot</i>. (1) That wull do.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(2) Do wag. (1) Do goo at last. (3) Well done. 'Tis drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) Now, William, till you have mwore ho'ses' lags,</p> +<p class="i4">Don't drēve the waggon into theäsem quags.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(3) You build your lwoads up tight enough to ride.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) I can't do less, d'ye know, wi' you vor guide.</p></div> +</div> + +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page201" id="page201"></a><span class="left">[page 201]</span> + +<h4>GWAÏN DOWN THE STEPS VOR WATER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>While zuns do roll vrom east to west</p> +<p>To bring us work, or leäve us rest,</p> +<p>There down below the steep hill-zide,</p> +<p>Drough time an' tide, the spring do flow;</p> +<p>An' mothers there, vor years a-gone,</p> +<p>Lik' daughters now a-comèn on,</p> +<p>To bloom when they be weak an' wan,</p> +<p>Went down the steps vor water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' what do yonder ringers tell</p> +<p>A-ringèn changes, bell by bell;</p> +<p>Or what's a-show'd by yonder zight</p> +<p>O' vo'k in white, upon the road,</p> +<p>But that by John o' Woodleys zide,</p> +<p>There's now a-blushèn vor his bride,</p> +<p>A pretty maïd that vu'st he spied,</p> +<p>Gwaïn down the steps vor water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though she, 'tis true, is feäir an' kind,</p> +<p>There still be mwore a-left behind;</p> +<p>So cleän 's the light the zun do gi'e,</p> +<p>So sprack 's a bee when zummer's bright;</p> +<p>An' if I've luck, I woont be slow</p> +<p>To teäke off woone that I do know,</p> +<p>A-trippèn gaïly to an' fro,</p> +<p>Upon the steps vor water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her father idden poor—but vew</p> +<p>In parish be so well to do;</p> +<p>Vor his own cows do swing their taïls</p> +<p>Behind his païls, below his boughs:</p> +<p>An' then ageän to win my love,</p> +<p>Why, she's as hwomely as a dove,</p> +<p>An' don't hold up herzelf above</p> +<p>Gwaïn down the steps vor water.</p></div> + +<a name="page202" id="page202"></a><span class="left">[page 202]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Gwaïn down the steps vor water! No!</p> +<p>How handsome it do meäke her grow.</p> +<p>If she'd be straïght, or walk abrode,</p> +<p>To tread her road wi' comely gaït,</p> +<p>She coulden do a better thing</p> +<p>To zet herzelf upright, than bring</p> +<p>Her pitcher on her head, vrom spring</p> +<p>Upon the steps, wi' water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No! don't ye neäme in woone seäme breath</p> +<p>Wi' bachelors, the husband's he'th;</p> +<p>The happy pleäce, where vingers thin</p> +<p>Do pull woone's chin, or pat woone's feäce.</p> +<p>But still the bleäme is their's, to slight</p> +<p>Their happiness, wi' such a zight</p> +<p>O' maïdens, mornèn, noon, an' night,</p> +<p>A-gwaïn down steps vor water.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p202" id="p202"></a> + +<h4>ELLEN BRINE OV ALLENBURN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Noo soul did hear her lips complaïn,</p> +<p>An' she's a-gone vrom all her païn,</p> +<p>An' others' loss to her is gaïn</p> +<p>For she do live in heaven's love;</p> +<p>Vull many a longsome day an' week</p> +<p>She bore her aïlèn, still, an' meek;</p> +<p>A-workèn while her strangth held on,</p> +<p>An' guidèn housework, when 'twer gone.</p> +<p>Vor Ellen Brine ov Allenburn,</p> +<p>Oh! there be souls to murn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The last time I'd a-cast my zight</p> +<p>Upon her feäce, a-feäded white,</p> +<p>Wer in a zummer's mornèn light</p> +<p>In hall avore the smwold'rèn vier,</p> +<p>The while the childern beät the vloor,</p></div> + +<a name="page203" id="page203"></a><span class="left">[page 203]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In plaÿ, wi' tiny shoes they wore,</p> +<p>An' call'd their mother's eyes to view</p> +<p>The feät's their little limbs could do.</p> +<p>Oh! Ellen Brine ov Allenburn,</p> +<p>They childern now mus' murn.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then woone, a-stoppèn vrom his reäce,</p> +<p>Went up, an' on her knee did pleäce</p> +<p>His hand, a-lookèn in her feäce,</p> +<p>An' wi' a smilèn mouth so small,</p> +<p>He zaid, "You promised us to goo</p> +<p>To Shroton feäir, an' teäke us two!"</p> +<p>She heärd it wi' her two white ears,</p> +<p>An' in her eyes there sprung two tears,</p> +<p>Vor Ellen Brine ov Allenburn</p> +<p>Did veel that they mus' murn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>September come, wi' Shroton feäir,</p> +<p>But Ellen Brine wer never there!</p> +<p>A heavy heart wer on the meäre</p> +<p>Their father rod his hwomeward road.</p> +<p>'Tis true he brought zome feärèns back,</p> +<p>Vor them two childern all in black;</p> +<p>But they had now, wi' plaÿthings new,</p> +<p>Noo mother vor to shew em to,</p> +<p>Vor Ellen Brine ov Allenburn</p> +<p>Would never mwore return.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p203" id="p203"></a> + +<h4>THE MOTHERLESS CHILD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>The zun'd a-zet back tother night,</p> +<p class="i2">But in the zettèn pleäce</p> +<p>The clouds, a-redden'd by his light,</p> +<p class="i2">Still glow'd avore my feäce.</p> +<p>An' I've a-lost my Meäry's smile,</p> +<p>I thought; but still I have her chile,</p><a name="page204" id="page204"></a><span class="left">[page 204]</span> +<p>Zoo like her, that my eyes can treäce</p> +<p>The mother's in her daughter's feäce.</p> +<p class="i2">O little feäce so near to me,</p> +<p>An' like thy mother's gone; why need I zay</p> +<p>Sweet night cloud, wi' the glow o' my lost day,</p> +<p class="i2">Thy looks be always dear to me.</p> +<p>The zun'd a-zet another night;</p> +<p class="i2">But, by the moon on high,</p> +<p>He still did zend us back his light</p> +<p class="i2">Below a cwolder sky.</p> +<p>My Meäry's in a better land</p> +<p>I thought, but still her chile's at hand,</p> +<p>An' in her chile she'll zend me on</p> +<p>Her love, though she herzelf's a-gone.</p> +<p class="i2">O little chile so near to me,</p> +<p>An' like thy mother gone; why need I zay,</p> +<p>Sweet moon, the messenger vrom my lost day,</p> +<p class="i2">Thy looks be always dear to me.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p204" id="p204"></a> + +<h4>THE LEÄDY'S TOWER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then we went along the gleädes</p> +<p>O' zunny turf, in quiv'rèn sheädes,</p> +<p>A-windèn off, vrom hand to hand,</p> +<p>Along a path o' yollow zand,</p> +<p>An' clomb a stickle slope, an' vound</p> +<p>An open patch o' lofty ground,</p> +<p>Up where a steätely tow'r did spring,</p> +<p>So high as highest larks do zing.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Oh! Meäster Collins," then I zaid,</p> +<p>A-lookèn up wi' back-flung head;</p> +<p>Vor who but he, so mild o' feäce,</p> +<p>Should teäke me there to zee the pleäce.</p><a name="page205" id="page205"></a><span class="left">[page 205]</span> +<p>"What is it then theäse tower do meän,</p> +<p>A-built so feäir, an' kept so cleän?"</p> +<p>"Ah! me," he zaid, wi' thoughtvul feäce,</p> +<p>"'Twer grief that zet theäse tower in pleäce.</p> +<p>The squier's e'thly life's a-blest</p> +<p>Wi' gifts that mwost do teäke vor best;</p> +<p>The lofty-pinion'd rufs do rise</p> +<p>To screen his head vrom stormy skies;</p> +<p>His land's a-spreadèn roun' his hall,</p> +<p>An' hands do leäbor at his call;</p> +<p>The while the ho'se do fling, wi' pride,</p> +<p>His lofty head where he do guide;</p> +<p>But still his e'thly jaÿ's a-vled,</p> +<p>His woone true friend, his wife, is dead.</p> +<p>Zoo now her happy soul's a-gone,</p> +<p>An' he in grief's a-ling'rèn on,</p> +<p>Do do his heart zome good to show</p> +<p>His love to flesh an' blood below.</p> +<p>An' zoo he rear'd, wi' smitten soul,</p> +<p>Theäse Leädy's Tower upon the knowl.</p> +<p>An' there you'll zee the tow'r do spring</p> +<p>Twice ten veet up, as roun's a ring,</p> +<p>Wi' pillars under mwolded eäves,</p> +<p>Above their heads a-carv'd wi' leaves;</p> +<p>An' have to peäce, a-walkèn round</p> +<p>His voot, a hunderd veet o' ground.</p> +<p>An' there, above his upper wall,</p> +<p>A roundèd tow'r do spring so tall</p> +<p>'S a springèn arrow shot upright,</p> +<p>A hunderd giddy veet in height.</p> +<p>An' if you'd like to straïn your knees</p> +<p>A-climèn up above the trees,</p> +<p>To zee, wi' slowly wheelèn feäce,</p> +<p>The vur-sky'd land about the pleäce,</p> +<p>You'll have a flight o' steps to wear</p> +<p>Vor forty veet, up steäir by steäir,</p><a name="page206" id="page206"></a><span class="left">[page 206]</span> +<p>That roun' the risèn tow'r do wind,</p> +<p>Like withwind roun' the saplèn's rind,</p> +<p>An' reach a landèn, wi' a seat,</p> +<p>To rest at last your weary veet,</p> +<p>'Ithin a breast be-screenèn wall,</p> +<p>To keep ye vrom a longsome vall.</p> +<p>An' roun' the windèn steäirs do spring</p> +<p>Aïght stwonèn pillars in a ring,</p> +<p>A-reachèn up their heavy strangth</p> +<p>Drough forty veet o' slender langth,</p> +<p>To end wi' carvèd heads below</p> +<p>The broad-vloor'd landèn's aïry bow.</p> +<p>Aïght zides, as you do zee, do bound</p> +<p>The lower buildèn on the ground,</p> +<p>An' there in woone, a two-leav'd door</p> +<p>Do zwing above the marble vloor:</p> +<p>An' aÿe, as luck do zoo betide</p> +<p>Our comèn, wi' can goo inside.</p> +<p>The door is oben now. An' zoo</p> +<p>The keeper kindly let us drough.</p> +<p>There as we softly trod the vloor</p> +<p>O' marble stwone, 'ithin the door,</p> +<p>The echoes ov our vootsteps vled</p> +<p>Out roun' the wall, and over head;</p> +<p>An' there a-païnted, zide by zide,</p> +<p>In memory o' the squier's bride,</p> +<p>In zeven païntèns, true to life,</p> +<p>Wer zeven zights o' wedded life."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then Meäster Collins twold me all</p> +<p>The teäles a-païntèd roun' the wall;</p> +<p>An' vu'st the bride did stan' to plight</p> +<p>Her weddèn vow, below the light</p> +<p>A-shootèn down, so bright's a fleäme,</p> +<p>In drough a churches window freäme.</p><a name="page207" id="page207"></a><span class="left">[page 207]</span> +<p>An' near the bride, on either hand,</p> +<p>You'd zee her comely bridemaïds stand,</p> +<p>Wi' eyelashes a-bent in streäks</p> +<p>O' brown above their bloomèn cheäks:</p> +<p>An' sheenèn feäir, in mellow light,</p> +<p>Wi' flowèn heäir, an' frocks o' white.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' here," good Meäster Collins cried,</p> +<p>"You'll zee a creädle at her zide,</p> +<p>An' there's her child, a-lyèn deep</p> +<p>'Ithin it, an' a-gone to sleep,</p> +<p>Wi' little eyelashes a-met</p> +<p>In fellow streäks, as black as jet;</p> +<p>The while her needle, over head,</p> +<p>Do nimbly leäd the snow-white thread,</p> +<p>To zew a robe her love do meäke</p> +<p>Wi' happy leäbor vor his seäke.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' here a-geän's another pleäce,</p> +<p>Where she do zit wi' smilèn feäce,</p> +<p>An' while her bwoy do leän, wi' pride,</p> +<p>Ageän her lap, below her zide,</p> +<p>Her vinger tip do leäd his look</p> +<p>To zome good words o' God's own book.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' next you'll zee her in her pleäce,</p> +<p>Avore her happy husband's feäce,</p> +<p>As he do zit, at evenèn-tide,</p> +<p>A-restèn by the vier-zide.</p> +<p>An' there the childern's heads do rise</p> +<p>Wi' laughèn lips, an' beamèn eyes,</p> +<p>Above the bwoard, where she do lay</p> +<p>Her sheenèn tacklèn, wi' the tea.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' here another zide do show</p> +<p>Her vinger in her scizzars' bow</p><a name="page208" id="page208"></a><span class="left">[page 208]</span> +<p>Avore two daughters, that do stand,</p> +<p>Wi' leärnsome minds, to watch her hand</p> +<p>A-sheäpèn out, wi' skill an' ceäre,</p> +<p>A frock vor them to zew an' wear.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Then next you'll zee her bend her head</p> +<p>Above her aïlèn husband's bed,</p> +<p>A-fannèn, wi' an inward praÿ'r,</p> +<p>His burnèn brow wi' beäten aïr;</p> +<p>The while the clock, by candle light,</p> +<p>Do show that 'tis the dead o' night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' here ageän upon the wall,</p> +<p>Where we do zee her last ov all,</p> +<p>Her husband's head's a-hangèn low,</p> +<p>'Ithin his hands in deepest woe.</p> +<p>An' she, an angel ov his God,</p> +<p>Do cheer his soul below the rod,</p> +<p>A-liftèn up her han' to call</p> +<p>His eyes to writèn on the wall,</p> +<p>As white as is her spotless robe,</p> +<p>'Hast thou rememberèd my servant Job?'</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"An' zoo the squier, in grief o' soul,</p> +<p>Built up the Tower upon the knowl."</p> + </div></div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p208" id="p208"></a> + +<h4>FATHERHOOD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Let en zit, wi' his dog an' his cat,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' their noses a-turn'd to the vier,</p> +<p class="i2">An' have all that a man should desire;</p> +<p>But there idden much reädship in that.</p> +<p>Whether vo'k mid have childern or no,</p> +<p class="i2">Wou'dden meäke mighty odds in the maïn;</p> +<p>They do bring us mwore jaÿ wi' mwore ho,</p> +<p class="i2">An' wi' nwone we've less jaÿ wi' less païn</p><a name="page209" id="page209"></a><span class="left">[page 209]</span> +<p>We be all lik' a zull's idle sheäre out,</p> +<p>An' shall rust out, unless we do wear out,</p> +<p class="i2">Lik' do-nothèn, rue-nothèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Dead alive dumps.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As vor me, why my life idden bound</p> +<p class="i2">To my own heart alwone, among men;</p> +<p class="i2">I do live in myzelf, an' ageän</p> +<p>In the lives o' my childern all round:</p> +<p>I do live wi' my bwoy in his plaÿ,</p> +<p class="i2">An' ageän wi' my maïd in her zongs;</p> +<p>An' my heart is a-stirr'd wi' their jaÿ,</p> +<p class="i2">An' would burn at the zight o' their wrongs.</p> +<p>I ha' nine lives, an' zoo if a half</p> +<p>O'm do cry, why the rest o'm mid laugh</p> +<p class="i2">All so plaÿvully, jaÿvully,</p> +<p class="i8">Happy wi' hope.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Tother night I come hwome a long road,</p> +<p class="i2">When the weather did sting an' did vreeze;</p> +<p>An' the snow—vor the day had a-snow'd—</p> +<p class="i2">Wer avroze on the boughs o' the trees;</p> +<p>An' my tooes an' my vingers wer num',</p> +<p class="i2">An' my veet wer so lumpy as logs,</p> +<p>An' my ears wer so red's a cock's cwom';</p> +<p class="i2">An' my nose wer so cwold as a dog's;</p> +<p>But so soon's I got hwome I vorgot</p> +<p>Where my limbs wer a-cwold or wer hot,</p> +<p class="i2">When wi' loud cries an' proud cries</p> +<p class="i8">They coll'd me so cwold.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor the vu'st that I happen'd to meet</p> +<p class="i2">Come to pull my girtcwoat vrom my eärm,</p> +<p class="i2">An' another did rub my feäce warm,</p> +<p>An' another hot-slipper'd my veet;</p> +<p>While their mother did cast on a stick,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to keep the red vier alive;</p><a name="page210" id="page210"></a><span class="left">[page 210]</span> +<p>An' they all come so busy an' thick</p> +<p class="i2">As the bees vlee-èn into their hive,</p> +<p>An' they meäde me so happy an' proud,</p> +<p>That my heart could ha' crow'd out a-loud;</p> +<p class="i2">They did tweil zoo, an' smile zoo,</p> +<p class="i8">An' coll me so cwold.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I zot wi' my teacup, at rest,</p> +<p class="i2">There I pull'd out the taÿs I did bring;</p> +<p class="i2">Men a-kickèn, a-wagg'd wi' a string,</p> +<p>An' goggle-ey'd dolls to be drest;</p> +<p>An' oh! vrom the childern there sprung</p> +<p class="i2">Such a charm when they handled their taÿs,</p> +<p>That vor pleasure the bigger woones wrung</p> +<p class="i2">Their two hands at the zight o' their jaÿs;</p> +<p>As the bwoys' bigger vaïces vell in</p> +<p>Wi' the maïdens a-titterèn thin,</p> +<p class="i2">An' their dancèn an' prancèn,</p> +<p class="i8">An' little mouth's laughs.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though 'tis hard stripes to breed em all up,</p> +<p class="i2">If I'm only a-blest vrom above,</p> +<p class="i2">They'll meäke me amends wi' their love,</p> +<p>Vor their pillow, their pleäte, an' their cup;</p> +<p>Though I shall be never a-spweil'd</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' the sarvice that money can buy;</p> +<p>Still the hands ov a wife an' a child</p> +<p class="i2">Be the blessèns ov low or ov high;</p> +<p>An' if there be mouths to be ved,</p> +<p>He that zent em can zend me their bread,</p> +<p class="i2">An' will smile on the chile</p> +<p class="i8">That's a-new on the knee.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + + <a name="page211" id="page211"></a><span class="left">[page 211]</span> + +<h4>THE MAID O' NEWTON.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In zummer, when the knaps wer bright</p> +<p>In cool-aïr'd evenèn's western light,</p> +<p>An' haÿ that had a-dried all day,</p> +<p>Did now lie grey, to dewy night;</p> +<p>I went, by happy chance, or doom,</p> +<p>Vrom Broadwoak Hill, athirt to Coomb,</p> +<p>An' met a maïd in all her bloom:</p> +<p class="i4">The feaïrest maïd o' Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She bore a basket that did ride</p> +<p>So light, she didden leän azide;</p> +<p>Her feäce wer oval, an' she smil'd</p> +<p>So sweet's a child, but walk'd wi' pride.</p> +<p>I spoke to her, but what I zaid</p> +<p>I didden know; wi' thoughts a-vled,</p> +<p>I spoke by heart, an' not by head,</p> +<p class="i4">Avore the maïd o' Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I call'd her, oh! I don't know who,</p> +<p>'Twer by a neäme she never knew;</p> +<p>An' to the heel she stood upon,</p> +<p>She then brought on her hinder shoe,</p> +<p>An' stopp'd avore me, where we met,</p> +<p>An' wi' a smile woone can't vorget,</p> +<p>She zaid, wi' eyes a-zwimmèn wet,</p> +<p class="i4">"No, I be woone o' Newton."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then on I rambled to the west,</p> +<p>Below the zunny hangèn's breast,</p> +<p>Where, down athirt the little stream,</p> +<p>The brudge's beam did lie at rest:</p> +<p>But all the birds, wi' lively glee,</p><a name="page212" id="page212"></a><span class="left">[page 212]</span> +<p>Did chirp an' hop vrom tree to tree,</p> +<p>As if it wer vrom pride, to zee</p> +<p class="i4">Goo by the maïd o' Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>By fancy led, at evenèn's glow,</p> +<p>I woonce did goo, a-rovèn slow,</p> +<p>Down where the elèms, stem by stem,</p> +<p>Do stan' to hem the grove below;</p> +<p>But after that, my veet vorzook</p> +<p>The grove, to seek the little brook</p> +<p>At Coomb, where I mid zometimes look,</p> +<p class="i4">To meet the maïd o' Newton.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p212" id="p212"></a> + +<h4>CHILDHOOD.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, at that time our days wer but vew,</p> +<p>An' our lim's wer but small, an' a-growèn;</p> +<p>An' then the feäir worold wer new,</p> +<p>An' life wer all hopevul an' gaÿ;</p> +<p>An' the times o' the sproutèn o' leaves,</p> +<p>An' the cheäk-burnèn seasons o' mowèn,</p> +<p>An' bindèn o' red-headed sheaves,</p> +<p>Wer all welcome seasons o' jaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then the housen seem'd high, that be low,</p> +<p>An' the brook did seem wide that is narrow,</p> +<p>An' time, that do vlee, did goo slow,</p> +<p>An' veelèns now feeble wer strong,</p> +<p>An' our worold did end wi' the neämes</p> +<p>Ov the Sha'sbury Hill or Bulbarrow;</p> +<p>An' life did seem only the geämes</p> +<p>That we plaÿ'd as the days rolled along.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then the rivers, an' high-timber'd lands,</p> +<p>An' the zilvery hills, 'ithout buyèn,</p><a name="page213" id="page213"></a><span class="left">[page 213]</span> +<p>Did seem to come into our hands</p> +<p>Vrom others that own'd em avore;</p> +<p>An' all zickness, an' sorrow, an' need,</p> +<p>Seem'd to die wi' the wold vo'k a-dyèn,</p> +<p>An' leäve us vor ever a-freed</p> +<p>Vrom evils our vorefathers bore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But happy be childern the while</p> +<p>They have elders a-livèn to love em,</p> +<p>An' teäke all the wearisome tweil</p> +<p>That zome hands or others mus' do;</p> +<p>Like the low-headed shrubs that be warm,</p> +<p>In the lewth o' the trees up above em,</p> +<p>A-screen'd vrom the cwold blowèn storm</p> +<p>That the timber avore em must rue.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p213" id="p213"></a> + +<h4>MEÄRY'S SMILE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When mornèn winds, a-blowèn high,</p> +<p>Do zweep the clouds vrom all the sky,</p> +<p>An' laurel-leaves do glitter bright,</p> +<p>The while the newly broken light</p> +<p>Do brighten up, avore our view,</p> +<p>The vields wi' green, an' hills wi' blue;</p> +<p>What then can highten to my eyes</p> +<p>The cheerful feäce ov e'th an' skies,</p> +<p class="i4">But Meäry's smile, o' Morey's Mill,</p> +<p class="i4">My rwose o' Mowy Lea.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when, at last, the evenèn dews</p> +<p>Do now begin to wet our shoes;</p> +<p>An' night's a-ridèn to the west,</p> +<p>To stop our work, an' gi'e us rest,</p> +<p>Oh! let the candle's ruddy gleäre</p> +<p>But brighten up her sheenèn heäir;</p><a name="page214" id="page214"></a><span class="left">[page 214]</span> +<p>Or else, as she do walk abroad,</p> +<p>Let moonlight show, upon the road,</p> +<p class="i4">My Meäry's smile, o' Morey's Mill,</p> +<p class="i4">My rwose o' Mowy Lea.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' O! mid never tears come on,</p> +<p>To wash her feäce's blushes wan,</p> +<p>Nor kill her smiles that now do plaÿ</p> +<p>Like sparklèn weäves in zunny Maÿ;</p> +<p>But mid she still, vor all she's gone</p> +<p>Vrom souls she now do smile upon,</p> +<p>Show others they can vind woone jaÿ</p> +<p>To turn the hardest work to plaÿ.</p> +<p class="i4">My Meäry's smile, o' Morey's Mill,</p> +<p class="i4">My rwose o' Mowy Lea.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p214" id="p214"></a> + +<h4>MEÄRY WEDDED.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The zun can zink, the stars mid rise,</p> +<p>An' woods be green to sheenèn skies;</p> +<p>The cock mid crow to mornèn light,</p> +<p>An' workvo'k zing to vallèn night;</p> +<p>The birds mid whissle on the spraÿ,</p> +<p>An' childern leäp in merry plaÿ,</p> +<p>But our's is now a lifeless pleäce,</p> +<p>Vor we've a-lost a smilèn feäce—</p> +<p class="i4">Young Meäry Meäd o' merry mood,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor she's a-woo'd an' wedded.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The dog that woonce wer glad to bear</p> +<p>Her fondlèn vingers down his heäir,</p> +<p>Do leän his head ageän the vloor,</p> +<p>To watch, wi' heavy eyes, the door;</p> +<p>An' men she zent so happy hwome</p> +<p>O' Zadurdays, do seem to come</p><a name="page215" id="page215"></a><span class="left">[page 215]</span> +<p>To door, wi' downcast hearts, to miss</p> +<p>Wi' smiles below the clematis,</p> +<p class="i4">Young Meäry Meäd o' merry mood,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor she's a-woo'd an' wedded.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When they do draw the evenèn blind,</p> +<p>An' when the evenèn light's a-tin'd,</p> +<p>The cheerless vier do drow a gleäre</p> +<p>O' light ageän her empty chair;</p> +<p>An' wordless gaps do now meäke thin</p> +<p>Their talk where woonce her vaïce come in.</p> +<p>Zoo lwonesome is her empty pleäce,</p> +<p>An' blest the house that ha' the feäce</p> +<p class="i4">O' Meäry Meäd, o' merry mood,</p> +<p class="i4">Now she's a-woo'd and wedded.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The day she left her father's he'th,</p> +<p>Though sad, wer kept a day o' me'th,</p> +<p>An' dry-wheel'd waggons' empty beds</p> +<p>Wer left 'ithin the tree-screen'd sheds;</p> +<p>An' all the hosses, at their eäse,</p> +<p>Went snortèn up the flow'ry leäse,</p> +<p>But woone, the smartest for the roäd,</p> +<p>That pull'd away the dearest lwoad—</p> +<p class="i4">Young Meäry Meäd o' merry mood,</p> +<p class="i4">That wer a-woo'd an' wedded.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p215" id="p215"></a> + +<h4>THE STWONEN BWOY UPON THE PILLAR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Wi' smokeless tuns an' empty halls,</p> +<p>An' moss a-clingèn to the walls,</p> +<p>In ev'ry wind the lofty tow'rs</p> +<p>Do teäke the zun, an' bear the show'rs;</p> +<p>An' there, 'ithin a geät a-hung,</p> +<p>But vasten'd up, an' never swung,</p><a name="page216" id="page216"></a><span class="left">[page 216]</span> +<p>Upon the pillar, all alwone,</p> +<p>Do stan' the little bwoy o' stwone;</p> +<p>'S a poppy bud mid linger on,</p> +<p>Vorseäken, when the wheat's a-gone.</p> +<p>An' there, then, wi' his bow let slack,</p> +<p>An' little quiver at his back,</p> +<p>Drough het an' wet, the little chile</p> +<p>Vrom day to day do stan' an' smile.</p> +<p>When vu'st the light, a-risèn weak,</p> +<p>At break o' day, do smite his cheäk,</p> +<p>Or while, at noon, the leafy bough</p> +<p>Do cast a sheäde a-thirt his brow,</p> +<p>Or when at night the warm-breath'd cows</p> +<p>Do sleep by moon-belighted boughs;</p> +<p>An' there the while the rooks do bring</p> +<p>Their scroff to build their nest in Spring,</p> +<p>Or zwallows in the zummer day</p> +<p>Do cling their little huts o' clay,</p> +<p>'Ithin the raïnless sheädes, below</p> +<p>The steadvast arches' mossy bow.</p> +<p>Or when, in Fall, the woak do shed</p> +<p>The leaves, a-wither'd, vrom his head,</p> +<p>An' western win's, a-blowèn cool,</p> +<p>Do dreve em out athirt the pool,</p> +<p>Or Winter's clouds do gather dark</p> +<p>An' wet, wi' raïn, the elem's bark,</p> +<p>You'll zee his pretty smile betwixt</p> +<p>His little sheäde-mark'd lips a-fix'd;</p> +<p>As there his little sheäpe do bide</p> +<p>Drough day an' night, an' time an' tide,</p> +<p>An' never change his size or dress,</p> +<p>Nor overgrow his prettiness.</p> +<p>But, oh! thik child, that we do vind</p> +<p>In childhood still, do call to mind</p> +<p>A little bwoy a-call'd by death,</p> +<p>Long years agoo, vrom our sad he'th;</p><a name="page217" id="page217"></a><span class="left">[page 217]</span> +<p>An' I, in thought, can zee en dim</p> +<p>The seäme in feäce, the seäme in lim',</p> +<p>My heäir mid whiten as the snow,</p> +<p>My limbs grow weak, my step wear slow,</p> +<p>My droopèn head mid slowly vall</p> +<p>Above the han'-staff's glossy ball,</p> +<p>An' yeet, vor all a wid'nèn span</p> +<p>Ov years, mid change a livèn man,</p> +<p>My little child do still appear</p> +<p>To me wi' all his childhood's gear,</p> +<p>'Ithout a beard upon his chin,</p> +<p>'Ithout a wrinkle in his skin,</p> +<p>A-livèn on, a child the seäme</p> +<p>In look, an' sheäpe, an' size, an' neäme.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p217" id="p217"></a> + +<h4>THE YOUNG THAT DIED IN BEAUTY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>If souls should only sheen so bright</p> +<p>In heaven as in e'thly light,</p> +<p>An' nothèn better wer the ceäse,</p> +<p>How comely still, in sheäpe an' feäce,</p> +<p>Would many reach thik happy pleäce,—</p> +<p>The hopeful souls that in their prime</p> +<p>Ha' seem'd a-took avore their time—</p> +<p>The young that died in beauty.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when woone's lim's ha' lost their strangth</p> +<p>A-tweilèn drough a lifetime's langth,</p> +<p>An' over cheäks a-growèn wold</p> +<p>The slowly-weästen years ha' rolled,</p> +<p>The deep'nèn wrinkle's hollow vwold;</p> +<p>When life is ripe, then death do call</p> +<p>Vor less ov thought, than when do vall</p> +<p>On young vo'ks in their beauty.</p></div> +<a name="page218" id="page218"></a><span class="left">[page 218]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But pinèn souls, wi' heads a-hung</p> +<p>In heavy sorrow vor the young,</p> +<p>The sister ov the brother dead,</p> +<p>The father wi' a child a-vled,</p> +<p>The husband when his bride ha' laid</p> +<p>Her head at rest, noo mwore to turn,</p> +<p>Have all a-vound the time to murn</p> +<p>Vor youth that died in beauty.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' yeet the church, where praÿer do rise</p> +<p>Vrom thoughtvul souls, wi' downcast eyes.</p> +<p>An' village greens, a-beät half beäre</p> +<p>By dancers that do meet, an' weär</p> +<p>Such merry looks at feäst an' feäir,</p> +<p>Do gather under leàtest skies,</p> +<p>Their bloomèn cheäks an' sparklèn eyes,</p> +<p>Though young ha' died in beauty.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still the dead shall mwore than keep</p> +<p>The beauty ov their eärly sleep;</p> +<p>Where comely looks shall never weär</p> +<p>Uncomely, under tweil an' ceäre.</p> +<p>The feäir at death be always feäir,</p> +<p>Still feäir to livers' thought an' love,</p> +<p>An' feäirer still to God above,</p> +<p>Than when they died in beauty.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p218" id="p218"></a> + +<h4>FAIR EMILY OV YARROW MILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Dear Yarrowham, 'twer many miles</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom thy green meäds that, in my walk,</p> +<p>I met a maïd wi' winnèn smiles,</p> +<p class="i2">That talk'd as vo'k at hwome do talk;</p> +<p>An' who at last should she be vound,</p> +<p>Ov all the souls the sky do bound,</p> +<p>But woone that trod at vu'st thy groun'</p> +<p class="i12">Fair Emily ov Yarrow Mill.</p></div><a name="page219" id="page219"></a><span class="left">[page 219]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But thy wold house an' elmy nook,</p> +<p class="i2">An' wall-screen'd geärden's mossy zides,</p> +<p>Thy grassy meäds an' zedgy brook,</p> +<p class="i2">An' high-bank'd leänes, wi' sheädy rides,</p> +<p>Wer all a-known to me by light</p> +<p>Ov eärly days, a-quench'd by night,</p> +<p>Avore they met the younger zight</p> +<p class="i12">Ov Emily ov Yarrow Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' now my heart do leäp to think</p> +<p class="i2">O' times that I've a-spent in plaÿ,</p> +<p>Bezide thy river's rushy brink,</p> +<p class="i2">Upon a deäizybed o' Maÿ;</p> +<p>I lov'd the friends thy land ha' bore,</p> +<p>An' I do love the paths they wore,</p> +<p>An' I do love thee all the mwore,</p> +<p class="i12">Vor Emily ov Yarrow Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When bright above the e'th below</p> +<p class="i2">The moon do spread abroad his light,</p> +<p>An' aïr o' zummer nights do blow</p> +<p class="i2">Athirt the vields in plaÿsome flight,</p> +<p>'Tis then delightsome under all</p> +<p>The sheädes o' boughs by path or wall,</p> +<p>But mwostly thine when they do vall</p> +<p class="i12">On Emily ov Yarrow Mill.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p219" id="p219"></a> + +<h4>THE SCUD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, aye, the leäne wi' flow'ry zides</p> +<p>A-kept so lew, by hazzle-wrides,</p> +<p>Wi' beds o' grægles out in bloom,</p> +<p>Below the timber's windless gloon</p> +<p>An' geäte that I've a-swung,</p> +<p>An' rod as he's a-hung,</p> +<p>When I wer young, in Woakley Coomb.</p></div> +<a name="page220" id="page220"></a><span class="left">[page 220]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer there at feäst we all did pass</p> +<p>The evenèn on the leänezide grass,</p> +<p>Out where the geäte do let us drough,</p> +<p>Below the woak-trees in the lew,</p> +<p>In merry geämes an' fun</p> +<p>That meäde us skip an' run,</p> +<p>Wi' burnèn zun, an' sky o' blue.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still there come a scud that drove</p> +<p>The titt'rèn maïdens vrom the grove;</p> +<p>An' there a-left wer flow'ry mound,</p> +<p>'Ithout a vaïce, 'ithout a sound,</p> +<p>Unless the aïr did blow,</p> +<p>Drough ruslèn leaves, an' drow,</p> +<p>The raïn drops low, upon the ground.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I linger'd there an' miss'd the naïse;</p> +<p>I linger'd there an' miss'd our jaÿs;</p> +<p>I miss'd woone soul beyond the rest;</p> +<p>The maïd that I do like the best.</p> +<p>Vor where her vaïce is gaÿ</p> +<p>An' where her smiles do plaÿ,</p> +<p>There's always jaÿ vor ev'ry breast.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor zome vo'k out abroad ha' me'th,</p> +<p>But nwone at hwome bezide the he'th;</p> +<p>An' zome ha' smiles vor strangers' view;</p> +<p>An' frowns vor kith an' kin to rue;</p> +<p>But her sweet vaïce do vall,</p> +<p>Wi' kindly words to all,</p> +<p>Both big an' small, the whole day drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the evenèn sky wer peäle,</p> +<p>We heärd the warblèn nightèngeäle,</p> +<p>A-drawèn out his lwonesome zong,</p> +<p>In windèn music down the drong;</p> +<p>An' Jenny vrom her he'th,</p><a name="page221" id="page221"></a><span class="left">[page 221]</span> +<p>Come out, though not in me'th,</p> +<p>But held her breath, to hear his zong.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then, while the bird wi' oben bill</p> +<p>Did warble on, her vaïce wer still;</p> +<p>An' as she stood avore me, bound</p> +<p>In stillness to the flow'ry mound,</p> +<p>"The bird's a jaÿ to zome,"</p> +<p>I thought, "but when he's dum,</p> +<p>Her vaïce will come, wi' sweeter sound."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p221" id="p221"></a> + +<h4>MINDEN HOUSE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer when the vo'k wer out to hawl</p> +<p>A vield o' haÿ a day in June,</p> +<p>An' when the zun begun to vall</p> +<p>Toward the west in afternoon,</p> +<p>Woone only wer a-left behind</p> +<p>To bide indoors, at hwome, an' mind</p> +<p>The house, an' answer vo'k avore</p> +<p>The geäte or door,—young Fanny Deäne.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The aïr 'ithin the geärden wall</p> +<p>Wer deadly still, unless the bee</p> +<p>Did hummy by, or in the hall</p> +<p>The clock did ring a-hettèn dree,</p> +<p>An' there, wi' busy hands, inside</p> +<p>The iron ceäsement, oben'd wide,</p> +<p>Did zit an' pull wi' nimble twitch</p> +<p>Her tiny stitch, young Fanny Deäne.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As there she zot she heärd two blows</p> +<p>A-knock'd upon the rumblèn door,</p> +<p>An' laid azide her work, an' rose,</p> +<p>An' walk'd out feäir, athirt the vloor;</p> +<p>An' there, a-holdèn in his hand</p> +<p>His bridled meäre, a youth did stand,</p><a name="page222" id="page222"></a><span class="left">[page 222]</span> +<p>An' mildly twold his neäme and pleäce</p> +<p>Avore the feäce o' Fanny Deäne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He twold her that he had on hand</p> +<p>Zome business on his father's zide,</p> +<p>But what she didden understand;</p> +<p>An' zoo she ax'd en if he'd ride</p> +<p>Out where her father mid be vound,</p> +<p>Bezide the plow, in Cowslip Ground;</p> +<p>An' there he went, but left his mind</p> +<p>Back there behind, wi' Fanny Deäne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! his hwomeward road wer gaÿ</p> +<p>In aïr a-blowèn, whiff by whiff,</p> +<p>While sheenèn water-weäves did plaÿ</p> +<p>An' boughs did swaÿ above the cliff;</p> +<p>Vor Time had now a-show'd en dim</p> +<p>The jaÿ it had in store vor him;</p> +<p>An' when he went thik road ageän</p> +<p>His errand then wer Fanny Deäne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How strangely things be brought about</p> +<p>By Providence, noo tongue can tell,</p> +<p>She minded house, when vo'k wer out,</p> +<p>An' zoo mus' bid the house farewell;</p> +<p>The bees mid hum, the clock mid call</p> +<p>The lwonesome hours 'ithin the hall,</p> +<p>But in behind the woaken door,</p> +<p>There's now noo mwore a Fanny Deäne.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p222" id="p222"></a> + +<h4>THE LOVELY MAÏD OV ELWELL MEÄD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A maïd wi' many gifts o' greäce,</p> +<p>A maïd wi' ever-smilèn feäce,</p><a name="page223" id="page223"></a><span class="left">[page 223]</span> +<p>A child o' yours my chilhood's pleäce,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen;</p> +<p>'S a-walkèn where your stream do flow,</p> +<p>A-blushèn where your flowers do blow,</p> +<p>A-smilèn where your zun do glow,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen.</p> +<p class="i4">An' good, however good's a-waïgh'd,</p> +<p class="i4">'S the lovely maïd ov Elwell Meäd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! if I could teäme an' guide</p> +<p>The winds above the e'th, an' ride</p> +<p>As light as shootèn stars do glide,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen,</p> +<p>To you I'd teäke my daily flight,</p> +<p>Drough dark'nèn aïr in evenèn's light,</p> +<p>An' bid her every night "Good night,"</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen.</p> +<p class="i4">Vor good, however good's a-waïgh'd,</p> +<p class="i4">'S the lovely maïd ov Elwell Meäd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when your hedges' slooes be blue,</p> +<p>By blackberries o' dark'nèn hue,</p> +<p>An' spiders' webs behung wi' dew,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen</p> +<p>Avore the winter aïr's a-chill'd,</p> +<p>Avore your winter brook's a-vill'd</p> +<p>Avore your zummer flow'rs be kill'd,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen;</p> +<p class="i4">I there would meet, in white arraÿ'd,</p> +<p class="i4">The lovely maïd ov Elwell Meäd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>For when the zun, as birds do rise,</p> +<p>Do cast their sheädes vrom autum' skies,</p> +<p>A-sparklèn in her dewy eyes,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen</p><a name="page224" id="page224"></a><span class="left">[page 224]</span> +<p>Then all your mossy paths below</p> +<p>The trees, wi' leaves a-vallèn slow,</p> +<p>Like zinkèn fleäkes o' yollow snow,</p> +<p class="i2">O leänèn lawns ov Allen.</p> +<p class="i4">Would be mwore teäkèn where they straÿ'd</p> +<p class="i4">The lovely maïd ov Elwell Meäd.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p224" id="p224"></a> + +<h4>OUR FATHERS' WORKS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! I do think, as I do tread</p> +<p>Theäse path, wi' elems overhead,</p> +<p>A-climèn slowly up vrom Bridge,</p> +<p>By easy steps, to Broadwoak Ridge,</p> +<p>That all theäse roads that we do bruise</p> +<p>Wi' hosses' shoes, or heavy lwoads;</p> +<p>An' hedges' bands, where trees in row</p> +<p>Do rise an' grow aroun' the lands,</p> +<p>Be works that we've a-vound a-wrought</p> +<p>By our vorefathers' ceäre an' thought.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>They clear'd the groun' vor grass to teäke</p> +<p>The pleäce that bore the bremble breäke,</p> +<p>An' draïn'd the fen, where water spread,</p> +<p>A-lyèn dead, a beäne to men;</p> +<p>An' built the mill, where still the wheel</p> +<p>Do grind our meal, below the hill;</p> +<p>An' turn'd the bridge, wi' arch a-spread,</p> +<p>Below a road, vor us to tread.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>They vound a pleäce, where we mid seek</p> +<p>The gifts o' greäce vrom week to week;</p> +<p>An' built wi' stwone, upon the hill,</p> +<p>A tow'r we still do call our own;</p> +<p>With bells to use, an' meäke rejaïce,</p> +<p>Wi' giant vaïce, at our good news:</p><a name="page225" id="page225"></a><span class="left">[page 225]</span> +<p>An' lifted stwones an' beams to keep</p> +<p>The raïn an' cwold vrom us asleep.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo now mid nwone ov us vorget</p> +<p>The pattern our vorefathers zet;</p> +<p>But each be fäin to underteäke</p> +<p>Some work to meäke vor others' gaïn,</p> +<p>That we mid leäve mwore good to sheäre,</p> +<p>Less ills to bear, less souls to grieve,</p> +<p>An' when our hands do vall to rest,</p> +<p>It mid be vrom a work a-blest.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p225" id="p225"></a> + +<h4>THE WOLD VO'K DEAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>My days, wi' wold vo'k all but gone,</p> +<p>An' childern now a-comèn on,</p> +<p>Do bring me still my mother's smiles</p> +<p>In light that now do show my chile's;</p> +<p>An' I've a-sheär'd the wold vo'ks' me'th,</p> +<p>Avore the burnèn Chris'mas he'th,</p> +<p>At friendly bwoards, where feäce by feäce,</p> +<p>Did, year by year, gi'e up its pleäce,</p> +<p>An' leäve me here, behind, to tread</p> +<p>The ground a-trod by wold vo'k dead.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But wold things be a-lost vor new,</p> +<p>An' zome do come, while zome do goo:</p> +<p>As wither'd beech-tree leaves do cling</p> +<p>Among the nesh young buds o' Spring;</p> +<p>An' frettèn worms ha' slowly wound,</p> +<p>Droo beams the wold vo'k lifted sound,</p> +<p>An' trees they planted little slips</p> +<p>Ha' stems that noo two eärms can clips;</p> +<p>An' grey an' yollow moss do spread</p> +<p>On buildèns new to wold vo'k dead.</p></div> +<a name="page226" id="page226"></a><span class="left">[page 226]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The backs of all our zilv'ry hills,</p> +<p>The brook that still do dreve our mills,</p> +<p>The roads a-climèn up the brows</p> +<p>O' knaps, a-screen'd by meäple boughs,</p> +<p>Wer all a-mark'd in sheäde an' light</p> +<p>Avore our wolder fathers' zight,</p> +<p>In zunny days, a-gied their hands</p> +<p>For happy work, a-tillèn lands,</p> +<p>That now do yield their childern bread</p> +<p>Till they do rest wi' wold vo'k dead.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But livèn vo'k, a-grievèn on,</p> +<p>Wi' lwonesome love, vor souls a-gone,</p> +<p>Do zee their goodness, but do vind</p> +<p>All else a-stealèn out o' mind;</p> +<p>As air do meäke the vurthest land</p> +<p>Look feäirer than the vield at hand,</p> +<p>An' zoo, as time do slowly pass,</p> +<p>So still's a sheäde upon the grass,</p> +<p>Its wid'nèn speäce do slowly shed</p> +<p>A glory roun' the wold vo'k dead.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' what if good vo'ks' life o' breath</p> +<p>Is zoo a-hallow'd after death,</p> +<p>That they mid only know above,</p> +<p>Their times o' faïth, an' jaÿ, an' love,</p> +<p>While all the evil time ha' brought</p> +<p>'S a-lost vor ever out o' thought;</p> +<p>As all the moon that idden bright,</p> +<p>'S a-lost in darkness out o' zight;</p> +<p>And all the godly life they led</p> +<p>Is glory to the wold vo'k dead.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If things be zoo, an' souls above</p> +<p>Can only mind our e'thly love,</p><a name="page227" id="page227"></a><span class="left">[page 227]</span> +<p>Why then they'll veel our kindness drown</p> +<p>The thoughts ov all that meäde em frown.</p> +<p>An' jaÿ o' jaÿs will dry the tear</p> +<p>O' sadness that do trickle here,</p> +<p>An' nothèn mwore o' life than love,</p> +<p>An' peace, will then be know'd above.</p> +<p>Do good, vor that, when life's a-vled,</p> +<p>Is still a pleasure to the dead.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p227" id="p227"></a> + +<h4>CULVER DELL AND THE SQUIRE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's noo pleäce I do like so well,</p> +<p>As Elem Knap in Culver Dell,</p> +<p>Where timber trees, wi' lofty shouds,</p> +<p>Did rise avore the western clouds;</p> +<p>An' stan' ageän, wi' veathery tops,</p> +<p>A-swayèn up in North-Hill Copse.</p> +<p>An' on the east the mornèn broke</p> +<p>Above a dewy grove o' woak:</p> +<p>An' noontide shed its burnèn light</p> +<p>On ashes on the southern height;</p> +<p>An' I could vind zome teäles to tell,</p> +<p>O' former days in Culver Dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' all the vo'k did love so well</p> +<p>The good wold squire o' Culver Dell,</p> +<p>That used to ramble drough the sheädes</p> +<p>O' timber, or the burnèn gleädes,</p> +<p>An' come at evenèn up the leäze</p> +<p>Wi' red-eär'd dogs bezide his knees.</p> +<p>An' hold his gun, a-hangèn drough</p> +<p>His eärmpit, out above his tooe.</p> +<p>Wi' kindly words upon his tongue,</p> +<p>Vor vo'k that met en, wold an' young,</p> +<p>Vor he did know the poor so well</p> +<p>'S the richest vo'k in Culver Dell.</p></div> +<a name="page228" id="page228"></a><span class="left">[page 228]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while the woäk, wi' spreadèn head,</p> +<p>Did sheäde the foxes' verny bed;</p> +<p>An' runnèn heäres, in zunny gleädes,</p> +<p>Did beät the grasses' quiv'rèn' bleädes;</p> +<p>An' speckled pa'tridges took flight</p> +<p>In stubble vields a-feädèn white;</p> +<p>Or he could zee the pheasant strut</p> +<p>In sheädy woods, wi' païnted cwoat;</p> +<p>Or long-tongued dogs did love to run</p> +<p>Among the leaves, bezide his gun;</p> +<p>We didden want vor call to dwell</p> +<p>At hwome in peace in Culver Dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now I hope his kindly feäce</p> +<p>Is gone to vind a better pleäce;</p> +<p>But still, wi' vo'k a-left behind</p> +<p>He'll always be a-kept in mind,</p> +<p>Vor all his springy-vooted hounds</p> +<p>Ha' done o' trottèn round his grounds,</p> +<p>An' we have all a-left the spot,</p> +<p>To teäke, a-scatter'd, each his lot;</p> +<p>An' even Father, lik' the rest,</p> +<p>Ha' left our long vorseäken nest;</p> +<p>An' we should vind it sad to dwell,</p> +<p>Ageän at hwome in Culver Dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The aïry mornèns still mid smite</p> +<p>Our windows wi' their rwosy light,</p> +<p>An' high-zunn'd noons mid dry the dew</p> +<p>On growèn groun' below our shoe;</p> +<p>The blushèn evenèn still mid dye,</p> +<p>Wi' viry red, the western sky;</p> +<p>The zunny spring-time's quicknèn power</p> +<p>Mid come to oben leaf an' flower;</p> +<p>An' days an' tides mid bring us on</p> +<p>Woone pleasure when another's gone.</p> +<p>But we must bid a long farewell</p> +<p>To days an' tides in Culver Dell.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + + <a name="page229" id="page229"></a><span class="left">[page 229]</span> + +<h4>OUR BE'THPLACE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How dear's the door a latch do shut,</p> +<p>An' geärden that a hatch do shut,</p> +<p>Where vu'st our bloomèn cheäks ha' prest</p> +<p>The pillor ov our childhood's rest;</p> +<p>Or where, wi' little tooes, we wore</p> +<p>The paths our fathers trod avore;</p> +<p>Or clim'd the timber's bark aloft,</p> +<p>Below the zingèn lark aloft,</p> +<p>The while we heärd the echo sound</p> +<p>Drough all the ringèn valley round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A lwonesome grove o' woak did rise,</p> +<p>To screen our house, where smoke did rise,</p> +<p>A-twistèn blue, while yeet the zun</p> +<p>Did langthen on our childhood's fun;</p> +<p>An' there, wi' all the sheäpes an' sounds</p> +<p>O' life, among the timber'd grounds,</p> +<p>The birds upon their boughs did zing,</p> +<p>An' milkmaïds by their cows did zing,</p> +<p>Wi' merry sounds, that softly died,</p> +<p>A-ringèn down the valley zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>By river banks, wi' reeds a-bound,</p> +<p>An' sheenèn pools, wi' weeds a-bound,</p> +<p>The long-neck'd gander's ruddy bill</p> +<p>To snow-white geese did cackle sh'ill;</p> +<p>An' stridèn peewits heästen'd by,</p> +<p>O' tiptooe wi' their screamèn cry;</p> +<p>An' stalkèn cows a-lowèn loud,</p> +<p>An' struttèn cocks a-crowèn loud,</p> +<p>Did rouse the echoes up to mock</p> +<p>Their mingled sounds by hill an' rock.</p></div> +<a name="page230" id="page230"></a><span class="left">[page 230]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The stars that clim'd our skies all dark,</p> +<p>Above our sleepèn eyes all dark,</p> +<p>An' zuns a-rollèn round to bring</p> +<p>The seasons on, vrom Spring to Spring,</p> +<p>Ha' vled, wi' never-restèn flight,</p> +<p>Drough green-bough'd day, an' dark-tree'd night;</p> +<p>Till now our childhood's pleäces there,</p> +<p>Be gaÿ wi' other feäces there,</p> +<p>An' we ourselves do vollow on</p> +<p>Our own vorelivers dead an' gone.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p230" id="p230"></a> + +<h4>THE WINDOW FREÄM'D WI' STWONE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When Pentridge House wer still the nest</p> +<p>O' souls that now ha' better rest,</p> +<p>Avore the viër burnt to ground</p> +<p>His beams an' walls, that then wer sound,</p> +<p>'Ithin a naïl-bestudded door,</p> +<p>An' passage wi' a stwonèn vloor,</p> +<p>There spread the hall, where zun-light shone</p> +<p>In drough a window freäm'd wi' stwone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A clavy-beam o' sheenèn woak</p> +<p>Did span the he'th wi' twistèn smoke,</p> +<p>Where fleämes did shoot in yollow streaks,</p> +<p>Above the brands, their flashèn peaks;</p> +<p>An' aunt did pull, as she did stand</p> +<p>O'-tip-tooe, wi' her lifted hand,</p> +<p>A curtain feäded wi' the zun,</p> +<p>Avore the window freäm'd wi' stwone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When Hwome-ground grass, below the moon,</p> +<p>Wer damp wi' evenèn dew in June,</p> +<p>An' aunt did call the maïdens in</p> +<p>Vrom walkèn, wi' their shoes too thin,</p><a name="page231" id="page231"></a><span class="left">[page 231]</span> +<p>They zot to rest their litty veet</p> +<p>Upon the window's woaken seat,</p> +<p>An' chatted there, in light that shone</p> +<p>In drough the window freäm'd wi' stwone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' as the seasons, in a ring,</p> +<p>Roll'd slowly roun' vrom Spring to Spring,</p> +<p>An' brought em on zome holy-tide,</p> +<p>When they did cast their tools azide;</p> +<p>How glad it meäde em all to spy</p> +<p>In Stwonylands their friends draw nigh,</p> +<p>As they did know em all by neäme</p> +<p>Out drough the window's stwonèn freäme.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O evenèn zun, a-ridèn drough</p> +<p>The sky, vrom Sh'oton Hill o' blue,</p> +<p>To leäve the night a-broodèn dark</p> +<p>At Stalbridge, wi' its grey-wall'd park;</p> +<p>Small jaÿ to me the vields do bring,</p> +<p>Vor all their zummer birds do zing,</p> +<p>Since now thy beams noo mwore do fleäme</p> +<p>In drough the window's stwonèn freäme.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p231" id="p231"></a> + +<h4>THE WATER-SPRING IN THE LEANE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! aye! the spring 'ithin the leäne,</p> +<p>A-leäden down to Lyddan Brook;</p> +<p>An' still a-nesslèn in his nook,</p> +<p>As weeks do pass, an' moons do weäne.</p> +<p class="i6">Nwone the drier,</p> +<p class="i6">Nwone the higher,</p> +<p>Nwone the nigher to the door</p> +<p>Where we did live so long avore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! what vo'k his mossy brim</p> +<p>Ha' gathered in the run o' time!</p><a name="page232" id="page232"></a><span class="left">[page 232]</span> +<p>The wife a-blushèn in her prime;</p> +<p>The widow wi' her eyezight dim;</p> +<p class="i6">Maïdens dippèn,</p> +<p class="i6">Childern sippèn,</p> +<p>Water drippèn, at the cool</p> +<p>Dark wallèn ov the little pool.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Behind the spring do lie the lands</p> +<p>My father till'd, vrom Spring to Spring,</p> +<p>Awäitèn on vor time to bring</p> +<p>The crops to paÿ his weary hands.</p> +<p class="i6">Wheat a-growèn,</p> +<p class="i6">Beäns a-blowèn,</p> +<p>Grass vor mowèn, where the bridge</p> +<p>Do leäd to Ryall's on the ridge.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But who do know when liv'd an' died</p> +<p>The squier o' the mwoldrèn hall;</p> +<p>That lined en wi' a stwonèn wall,</p> +<p>An' steän'd so cleän his wat'ry zide?</p> +<p class="i6">We behind en,</p> +<p class="i6">Now can't vind en,</p> +<p>But do mind en, an' do thank</p> +<p>His meäker vor his little tank.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p232" id="p232"></a> + +<h4>THE POPLARS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If theäse day's work an' burnèn sky</p> +<p>'V'a-zent hwome you so tired as I,</p> +<p>Let's zit an' rest 'ithin the screen</p> +<p>O' my wold bow'r upon the green;</p> +<p>Where I do goo myself an' let</p> +<p>The evenèn aiër cool my het,</p> +<p>When dew do wet the grasses bleädes,</p> +<p>A-quiv'rèn in the dusky sheädes.</p></div> +<a name="page233" id="page233"></a><span class="left">[page 233]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There yonder poplar trees do plaÿ</p> +<p>Soft music, as their heads do swaÿ,</p> +<p>While wind, a-rustlèn soft or loud,</p> +<p>Do stream ageän their lofty sh'oud;</p> +<p>An' seem to heal the ranklèn zore</p> +<p>My mind do meet wi' out o' door,</p> +<p>When I've a-bore, in downcast mood,</p> +<p>Zome evil where I look'd vor good.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O' they two poplars that do rise</p> +<p>So high avore our naïghbours' eyes,</p> +<p>A-zet by gramfer, hand by hand,</p> +<p>Wi' grammer, in their bit o' land;</p> +<p>The woone upon the western zide</p> +<p>Wer his, an' woone wer grammer's pride,</p> +<p>An' since they died, we all do teäke</p> +<p>Mwore ceäre o'm vor the wold vo'k's seäke.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, wi' stems a-growèn tall</p> +<p>Avore the houses mossy wall,</p> +<p>The while the moon ha' slowly past</p> +<p>The leafy window, they've a-cast</p> +<p>Their sheädes 'ithin the window peäne;</p> +<p>While childern have a-grown to men,</p> +<p>An' then ageän ha' left their beds,</p> +<p>To bear their childern's heavy heads.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p233" id="p233"></a> + +<h4>THE LINDEN ON THE LAWN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No! Jenny, there's noo pleäce to charm</p> +<p>My mind lik' yours at Woakland farm,</p> +<p>A-peärted vrom the busy town,</p> +<p>By longsome miles ov aïry down,</p> +<p>Where woonce the meshy wall did gird</p> +<p>Your flow'ry geärden, an' the bird</p><a name="page234" id="page234"></a><span class="left">[page 234]</span> +<p>Did zing in zummer wind that stirr'd</p> +<p>The spreädèn linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' now ov all the trees wi' sheädes</p> +<p>A-wheelèn round in Blackmwore gleädes,</p> +<p>There's noo tall poplar by the brook,</p> +<p>Nor elem that do rock the rook,</p> +<p>Nor ash upon the shelvèn ledge,</p> +<p>Nor low-bough'd woak bezide the hedge,</p> +<p>Nor withy up above the zedge,</p> +<p>So dear's thik linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor there, o' zummer nights, below</p> +<p>The wall, we zot when aïr did blow,</p> +<p>An' sheäke the dewy rwose a-tied</p> +<p>Up roun' the window's stwonèn zide.</p> +<p>An' while the carter rod' along</p> +<p>A-zingèn, down the dusky drong,</p> +<p>There you did zing a sweeter zong</p> +<p>Below the linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while your warbled ditty wound</p> +<p>Drough plaÿsome flights o' mellow sound,</p> +<p>The nightèngeäle's sh'ill zong, that broke</p> +<p>The stillness ov the dewy woak,</p> +<p>Rung clear along the grove, an' smote</p> +<p>To sudden stillness ev'ry droat;</p> +<p>As we did zit, an' hear it float</p> +<p>Below the linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where dusky light did softly vall</p> +<p>'Ithin the stwonèn-window'd hall,</p> +<p>Avore your father's blinkèn eyes,</p> +<p>His evenèn whiff o' smoke did rise,</p><a name="page235" id="page235"></a><span class="left">[page 235]</span> +<p>An' vrom the bedroom window's height</p> +<p>Your little John, a-cloth'd in white,</p> +<p>An' gwaïn to bed, did cry "good night"</p> +<p>Towards the linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now, as Dobbin, wi' a nod</p> +<p>Vor ev'ry heavy step he trod,</p> +<p>Did bring me on, to-night, avore</p> +<p>The geäbled house's pworchèd door,</p> +<p>Noo laughèn child a-cloth'd in white,</p> +<p>Look'd drough the stwonèn window's light,</p> +<p>An' noo vaïce zung, in dusky night,</p> +<p>Below the linden on the lawn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, if you should ever vind</p> +<p>My kindness seem to grow less kind,</p> +<p>An' if upon my clouded feäce</p> +<p>My smile should yield a frown its pleäce,</p> +<p>Then, Jenny, only laugh an' call</p> +<p>My mind 'ithin the geärden wall,</p> +<p>Where we did plaÿ at even-fall,</p> +<p>Below the linden on the lawn.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p235" id="p235"></a> + +<h4>OUR ABODE IN ARBY WOOD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2">Though ice do hang upon the willows</p> +<p class="i4">Out bezide the vrozen brook,</p> +<p class="i2">An' storms do roar above our pillows,</p> +<p class="i4">Drough the night, 'ithin our nook;</p> +<p class="i2">Our evenèn he'th's a-glowèn warm,</p> +<p class="i2">Drough wringèn vrost, an' roarèn storm,</p> +<p>Though winds mid meäke the wold beams sheäke,</p> +<p class="i4">In our abode in Arby Wood.</p></div> +<a name="page236" id="page236"></a><span class="left">[page 236]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2">An' there, though we mid hear the timber</p> +<p class="i4">Creake avore the windy raïn;</p> +<p class="i2">An' climèn ivy quiver, limber,</p> +<p class="i4">Up ageän the window peäne;</p> +<p class="i2">Our merry vaïces then do sound,</p> +<p class="i2">In rollèn glee, or dree-vaïce round;</p> +<p>Though wind mid roar, 'ithout the door,</p> +<p class="i4">Ov our abode in Arby Wood.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p236-1" id="p236-1"></a> + +<h4>SLOW TO COME, QUICK AGONE.</h4> + + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! there's a house that I do know</p> +<p>Besouth o' yonder trees,</p> +<p>Where northern winds can hardly blow</p> +<p>But in a softest breeze.</p> +<p>An' there woonce sounded zongs an' teäles</p> +<p>Vrom vaïce o' maïd or youth,</p> +<p>An' sweeter than the nightèngeäle's</p> +<p>Above the copses lewth.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How swiftly there did run the brooks,</p> +<p>How swift wer winds in flight,</p> +<p>How swiftly to their roost the rooks</p> +<p>Did vlee o'er head at night.</p> +<p>Though slow did seem to us the peäce</p> +<p>O' comèn days a-head,</p> +<p>That now do seem as in a reäce</p> +<p>Wi' aïr-birds to ha' vled.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p236-2" id="p236-2"></a> + +<h4>THE VIER-ZIDE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis zome vo'ks jaÿ to teäke the road,</p> +<p>An' goo abro'd, a-wand'rèn wide,</p> +<p>Vrom shere to shere, vrom pleäce to pleäce,</p> +<p>The swiftest peäce that vo'k can ride.</p> +<p>But I've a jaÿ 'ithin the door,</p> +<p>Wi' friends avore the vier-zide.</p></div> +<a name="page237" id="page237"></a><span class="left">[page 237]</span> + +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, when winter skies do lour,</p> +<p>An' when the Stour's a-rollèn wide,</p> +<p>Drough bridge-voot raïls, a-païnted white,</p> +<p>To be at night the traveller's guide,</p> +<p>Gi'e me a pleäce that's warm an' dry,</p> +<p>A-zittèn nigh my vier-zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor where do love o' kith an' kin,</p> +<p>At vu'st begin, or grow an' wride,</p> +<p>Till souls a-lov'd so young, be wold,</p> +<p>Though never cwold, drough time nor tide</p> +<p>But where in me'th their gather'd veet</p> +<p>Do often meet—the vier-zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If, when a friend ha' left the land,</p> +<p>I shook his hand a-most wet-eyed,</p> +<p>I velt too well the ob'nèn door</p> +<p>Would leäd noo mwore where he did bide</p> +<p>An' where I heärd his vaïces sound,</p> +<p>In me'th around the vier-zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I've a-zeed how vast do vall</p> +<p>The mwold'rèn hall, the wold vo'ks pride,</p> +<p>Where merry hearts wer woonce a-ved</p> +<p>Wi' daily bread, why I've a-sigh'd,</p> +<p>To zee the wall so green wi' mwold,</p> +<p>An' vind so cwold the vier-zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' Chris'mas still mid bring his me'th</p> +<p>To ouer he'th, but if we tried</p> +<p>To gather all that woonce did wear</p> +<p>Gay feäces there! Ah! zome ha' died,</p> +<p>An' zome be gone to leäve wi' gaps</p> +<p>O' missèn laps, the vier-zide.</p></div> +<a name="page238" id="page238"></a><span class="left">[page 238]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But come now, bring us in your hand,</p> +<p>A heavy brand o' woak a-dried,</p> +<p>To cheer us wi' his het an' light,</p> +<p>While vrosty night, so starry-skied,</p> +<p>Go gather souls that time do speäre</p> +<p>To zit an' sheäre our vier-zide.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p238" id="p238"></a> + +<h4>KNOWLWOOD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I don't want to sleep abrode, John,</p> +<p>I do like my hwomeward road, John;</p> +<p>An' like the sound o' Knowlwood bells the best.</p> +<p>Zome would rove vrom pleäce to pleäce, John,</p> +<p>Zome would goo from feäce to feäce, John,</p> +<p>But I be happy in my hwomely nest;</p> +<p>An' slight's the hope vor any pleäce bezide,</p> +<p>To leäve the plaïn abode where love do bide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where the shelvèn knap do vall, John,</p> +<p>Under trees a-springèn tall, John;</p> +<p>'Tis there my house do show his sheenèn zide,</p> +<p>Wi' his walls vor ever green, John,</p> +<p>Under ivy that's a screen, John,</p> +<p>Vrom wet an' het, an' ev'ry changèn tide,</p> +<p>An' I do little ho vor goold or pride,</p> +<p>To leäve the plaïn abode where love do bide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the bendèn stream do flow, John,</p> +<p>By the mossy bridge's bow, John;</p> +<p>An' there the road do wind below the hill;</p> +<p>There the miller, white wi' meal, John,</p> +<p>Deafen'd wi' his foamy wheel, John,</p> +<p>Do stan' o' times a-lookèn out o' mill:</p> +<p>The while 'ithin his lightly-sheäken door.</p> +<p>His wheatèn flour do whitèn all his floor.</p></div> +<a name="page239" id="page239"></a><span class="left">[page 239]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When my daily work's a-done, John,</p> +<p>At the zettèn o' the zun, John,</p> +<p>An' I all day 've a-plaÿ'd a good man's peärt,</p> +<p>I do vind my ease a-blest, John,</p> +<p>While my conscience is at rest, John;</p> +<p>An' while noo worm's a-left to fret my heart;</p> +<p>An' who vor finer hwomes o' restless pride,</p> +<p>Would pass the plaïn abode where peace do bide?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>By a windor in the west, John,</p> +<p>There upon my fiddle's breast, John,</p> +<p>The strings do sound below my bow's white heäir;</p> +<p>While a zingèn drush do swaÿ, John,</p> +<p>Up an' down upon a spraÿ, John,</p> +<p>An' cast his sheäde upon the window square;</p> +<p>Vor birds do know their friends, an' build their nest,</p> +<p>An' love to roost, where they can live at rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Out o' town the win' do bring, John,</p> +<p>Peals o' bells when they do ring, John,</p> +<p>An' roun' me here, at hand, my ear can catch</p> +<p>The maïd a-zingèn by the stream, John,</p> +<p>Or carter whislèn wi' his team, John,</p> +<p>Or zingèn birds, or water at the hatch;</p> +<p>An' zoo wi' sounds o' vaïce, an' bird an' bell,</p> +<p>Noo hour is dull 'ithin our rwosy dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the darksome night do hide, John,</p> +<p>Land an' wood on ev'ry zide, John;</p> +<p>An' when the light's a-burnèn on my bwoard,</p> +<p>Then vor pleasures out o' door, John,</p> +<p>I've enough upon my vloor, John:</p> +<p>My Jenny's lovèn deed, an' look, an' word,</p> +<p>An' we be lwoth, lik' culvers zide by zide,</p> +<p>To leäve the plaïn abode where love do bide.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page240" id="page240"></a><span class="left">[page 240]</span> + +<h4>HALLOWED PLEÄCES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At Woodcombe farm, wi' ground an' tree</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' youthvul glee,</p> +<p>At Chris'mas time I spent a night</p> +<p>Wi' feäces dearest to my zight;</p> +<p>An' took my wife to tread, woonce mwore,</p> +<p>Her maïden hwome's vorseäken vloor,</p> +<p>An' under stars that slowly wheel'd</p> +<p>Aloft, above the keen-aïr'd vield,</p> +<p>While night bedimm'd the rus'lèn copse,</p> +<p>An' darken'd all the ridges' tops,</p> +<p>The hall, a-hung wi' holly, rung</p> +<p>Wi' many a tongue o' wold an' young.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, on the he'th's well-hetted ground,</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' zittèn round,</p> +<p>The brimvul mug o' cider stood</p> +<p>An' hiss'd avore the bleäzèn wood;</p> +<p>An' zome, a-zittèn knee by knee,</p> +<p>Did tell their teäles wi' hearty glee,</p> +<p>An' others gamboll'd in a roar</p> +<p>O' laughter on the stwonèn vloor;</p> +<p>An' while the moss o' winter-tide</p> +<p>Clung chilly roun' the house's zide,</p> +<p>The hall, a-hung wi' holly, rung</p> +<p>Wi' many a tongue o' wold an' young.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, on the pworches bench o' stwone,</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' youthvul fun,</p> +<p>We laugh'd an' sigh'd to think o' neämes</p> +<p>That rung there woonce, in evenèn geämes;</p><a name="page241" id="page241"></a><span class="left">[page 241]</span> +<p>An' while the swaÿèn cypress bow'd,</p> +<p>In chilly wind, his darksome sh'oud</p> +<p>An' honeyzuckles, beäre o' leäves,</p> +<p>Still reach'd the window-sheädèn eaves</p> +<p>Up where the clematis did trim</p> +<p>The stwonèn arches mossy rim,</p> +<p>The hall, a-hung wi' holly, rung</p> +<p>Wi' many a tongue o' wold an' young.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, in the geärden's wall-bound square,</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' strollèn there,</p> +<p>The winter wind, a-hufflèn loud,</p> +<p>Did swaÿ the pear-tree's leafless sh'oud,</p> +<p>An' beät the bush that woonce did bear</p> +<p>The damask rwose vor Jenny's heäir;</p> +<p>An' there the walk o' peävèn stwone</p> +<p>That burn'd below the zummer zun,</p> +<p>Struck icy-cwold drough shoes a-wore</p> +<p>By maïdens vrom the hetted vloor</p> +<p>In hall, a-hung wi' holm, where rung</p> +<p>Vull many a tongue o' wold an' young.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There at the geäte that woonce wer blue</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' passèn drough,</p> +<p>Light strawmotes rose in flaggèn flight,</p> +<p>A-floated by the winds o' night,</p> +<p>Where leafy ivy-stems did crawl</p> +<p>In moonlight on the windblown wall,</p> +<p>An' merry maïdens' vaïces vled</p> +<p>In echoes sh'ill, vrom wall to shed,</p> +<p>As shiv'rèn in their frocks o' white</p> +<p>They come to bid us there "Good night,"</p> +<p>Vrom hall, a-hung wi' holm, that rung</p> +<p>Wi' many a tongue o' wold an' young.</p></div> +<a name="page242" id="page242"></a><span class="left">[page 242]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There in the narrow leäne an' drong</p> +<p>Hallow'd by times o' gwaïn along,</p> +<p>The lofty ashes' leafless sh'ouds</p> +<p>Rose dark avore the clear-edged clouds,</p> +<p>The while the moon, at girtest height,</p> +<p>Bespread the pooly brook wi' light,</p> +<p>An' as our child, in loose-limb'd rest,</p> +<p>Lay peäle upon her mother's breast,</p> +<p>Her waxen eyelids seal'd her eyes</p> +<p>Vrom darksome trees, an' sheenèn skies,</p> +<p>An' halls a-hung wi' holm, that rung</p> +<p>Wi' many a tongue, o' wold an' young.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p242" id="p242"></a> + +<h4>THE WOLD WALL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Here, Jeäne, we vu'st did meet below</p> +<p>The leafy boughs, a-swingèn slow,</p> +<p>Avore the zun, wi' evenèn glow,</p> +<p>Above our road, a-beamèn red;</p> +<p>The grass in zwath wer in the meäds,</p> +<p>The water gleam'd among the reeds</p> +<p>In aïr a-steälèn roun' the hall,</p> +<p>Where ivy clung upon the wall.</p> +<p>Ah! well-a-day! O wall adieu!</p> +<p>The wall is wold, my grief is new.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there you walk'd wi' blushèn pride,</p> +<p>Where softly-wheelèn streams did glide,</p> +<p>Drough sheädes o' poplars at my zide,</p> +<p>An' there wi' love that still do live,</p> +<p>Your feäce did wear the smile o' youth,</p> +<p>The while you spoke wi' age's truth,</p> +<p>An' wi' a rwosebud's mossy ball,</p> +<p>I deck'd your bosom vrom the wall.</p> +<p>Ah! well-a-day! O wall adieu!</p> +<p>The wall is wold, my grief is new.</p></div> +<a name="page243" id="page243"></a><span class="left">[page 243]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now when winter's raïn do vall,</p> +<p>An' wind do beät ageän the hall,</p> +<p>The while upon the wat'ry wall</p> +<p>In spots o' grey the moss do grow;</p> +<p>The ruf noo mwore shall overspread</p> +<p>The pillor ov our weary head,</p> +<p>Nor shall the rwose's mossy ball</p> +<p>Behang vor you the house's wall.</p> +<p>Ah! well-a-day! O wall adieu!</p> +<p>The wall is wold, my grief is new.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + + +<a name="p243" id="p243"></a> + +<h4>BLEÄKE'S HOUSE IN BLACKMWORE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>John Bleäke he had a bit o' ground</p> +<p>Come to en by his mother's zide;</p> +<p>An' after that, two hunderd pound</p> +<p>His uncle left en when he died;</p> +<p>"Well now," cried John, "my mind's a-bent</p> +<p>To build a house, an' paÿ noo rent."</p> +<p>An' Meäry gi'ed en her consent.</p> +<p>"Do, do,"—the maïdens cried</p> +<p>"True, true,"—his wife replied.</p> +<p>"Done, done,—a house o' brick or stwone,"</p> +<p>Cried merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then John he call'd vor men o' skill,</p> +<p>An' builders answer'd to his call;</p> +<p>An' met to reckon, each his bill;</p> +<p>Vor vloor an' window, ruf an' wall.</p> +<p>An' woone did mark it on the groun',</p> +<p>An' woone did think, an' scratch his crown,</p> +<p>An' reckon work, an' write it down:</p> +<p>"Zoo, zoo,"—woone treädesman cried,</p> +<p>"True, true,"—woone mwore replied.</p> +<p>"Aye, aye,—good work, an' have good paÿ,"</p> +<p>Cried merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore.</p></div> +<a name="page244" id="page244"></a><span class="left">[page 244]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The work begun, an' trowels rung,</p> +<p>An' up the brickèn wall did rise,</p> +<p>An' up the slantèn refters sprung,</p> +<p>Wi' busy blows, an' lusty cries!</p> +<p>An' woone brought planks to meäke a vloor,</p> +<p>An' woone did come wi' durns or door,</p> +<p>An' woone did zaw, an' woone did bore,</p> +<p>"Brick, brick,—there down below,</p> +<p>Quick, quick,—why b'ye so slow?"</p> +<p>"Lime, lime,—why we do weäste the time,</p> +<p>Vor merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The house wer up vrom groun' to tun,</p> +<p>An' thatch'd ageän the raïny sky,</p> +<p>Wi' windows to the noonday zun,</p> +<p>Where rushy Stour do wander by.</p> +<p>In coo'se he had a pworch to screen</p> +<p>The inside door, when win's wer keen,</p> +<p>An' out avore the pworch, a green.</p> +<p>"Here! here!"—the childern cried:</p> +<p>"Dear! dear!"—the wife replied;</p> +<p>"There, there,—the house is perty feäir,"</p> +<p>Cried merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then John he ax'd his friends to warm</p> +<p>His house, an' they, a goodish batch,</p> +<p>Did come alwone, or eärm in eärm,</p> +<p>All roads, a-meäkèn vor his hatch:</p> +<p>An' there below the clavy beam</p> +<p>The kettle-spout did zing an' steam;</p> +<p>An' there wer ceäkes, an' tea wi' cream.</p> +<p>"Lo! lo!"—the women cried;</p> +<p>"Ho! ho!"—the men replied;</p> +<p>"Health, health,—attend ye wi' your wealth,</p> +<p>Good merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore."</p></div> +<a name="page245" id="page245"></a><span class="left">[page 245]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then John, a-praïs'd, flung up his crown,</p> +<p>All back a-laughèn in a roar.</p> +<p>They praïs'd his wife, an' she look'd down</p> +<p>A-simperèn towards the vloor.</p> +<p>Then up they sprung a-dancèn reels,</p> +<p>An' up went tooes, an' up went heels,</p> +<p>A-windèn roun' in knots an' wheels.</p> +<p>"Brisk, brisk,"—the maïdens cried;</p> +<p>"Frisk, frisk,"—the men replied;</p> +<p>"Quick, quick,—there wi' your fiddle-stick,"</p> +<p>Cried merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the morrow's zun did sheen,</p> +<p>John Bleäke beheld, wi' jaÿ an' pride,</p> +<p>His brickèn house, an' pworch, an' green,</p> +<p>Above the Stour's rushy zide.</p> +<p>The zwallows left the lwonesome groves,</p> +<p>To build below the thatchèn oves,</p> +<p>An' robins come vor crumbs o' lwoaves:</p> +<p>"Tweet, tweet,"—the birds all cried;</p> +<p>"Sweet, sweet,"—John's wife replied;</p> +<p>"Dad, dad,"—the childern cried so glad,</p> +<p>To merry Bleäke o' Blackmwore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p245" id="p245"></a> + +<h4>JOHN BLEÄKE AT HWOME AT NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No: where the woak do overspread,</p> +<p>The grass begloom'd below his head,</p> +<p>An' water, under bowèn zedge,</p> +<p>A-springèn vrom the river's edge,</p> +<p>Do ripple, as the win' do blow,</p> +<p>An' sparkle, as the sky do glow;</p> +<p>An' grey-leav'd withy-boughs do cool,</p> +<p>Wi' darksome sheädes, the clear-feäced pool,</p><a name="page246" id="page246"></a><span class="left">[page 246]</span> +<p>My chimny smoke, 'ithin the lew</p> +<p>O' trees is there arisèn blue;</p> +<p>Avore the night do dim our zight,</p> +<p>Or candle-light, a-sheenèn bright,</p> +<p>Do sparkle drough the window.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When crumpled leaves o' Fall do bound</p> +<p>Avore the wind, along the ground,</p> +<p>An' wither'd bennet-stems do stand</p> +<p>A-quiv'rèn on the chilly land;</p> +<p>The while the zun, wi' zettèn rim,</p> +<p>Do leäve the workman's pathway dim;</p> +<p>An' sweet-breath'd childern's hangèn heads</p> +<p>Be laid wi' kisses, on their beds;</p> +<p>Then I do seek my woodland nest,</p> +<p>An' zit bezide my vier at rest,</p> +<p>While night's a-spread, where day's a-vled,</p> +<p>An' lights do shed their beams o' red,</p> +<p>A-sparklèn drough the window.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If winter's whistlèn winds do vreeze</p> +<p>The snow a-gather'd on the trees,</p> +<p>An' sheädes o' poplar stems do vall</p> +<p>In moonlight up athirt the wall;</p> +<p>An' icicles do hang below</p> +<p>The oves, a-glitt'rèn in a row,</p> +<p>An' risèn stars do slowly ride</p> +<p>Above the ruf's upslantèn zide;</p> +<p>Then I do lay my weary head</p> +<p>Asleep upon my peaceful bed,</p> +<p>When middle-night ha' quench'd the light</p> +<p>Ov embers bright, an' candles white</p> +<p>A-beamèn drough the window.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + + <a name="page247" id="page247"></a><span class="left">[page 247]</span> + +<h4>MILKEN TIME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer when the busy birds did vlee,</p> +<p>Wi' sheenèn wings, vrom tree to tree,</p> +<p>To build upon the mossy lim',</p> +<p>Their hollow nestes' rounded rim;</p> +<p>The while the zun, a-zinkèn low,</p> +<p>Did roll along his evenèn bow,</p> +<p>I come along where wide-horn'd cows,</p> +<p>'Ithin a nook, a-screen'd by boughs,</p> +<p>Did stan' an' flip the white-hoop'd païls</p> +<p>Wi' heäiry tufts o' swingèn taïls;</p> +<p>An' there wer Jenny Coom a-gone</p> +<p>Along the path a vew steps on.</p> +<p>A-beärèn on her head, upstraïght,</p> +<p>Her païl, wi' slowly-ridèn waïght,</p> +<p>An' hoops a-sheenèn, lily-white,</p> +<p>Ageän the evenèn's slantèn light;</p> +<p>An' zo I took her païl, an' left</p> +<p>Her neck a-freed vrom all his heft;</p> +<p>An' she a-lookèn up an' down,</p> +<p>Wi' sheäpely head an' glossy crown,</p> +<p>Then took my zide, an' kept my peäce</p> +<p>A-talkèn on wi' smilèn feäce,</p> +<p>An' zettèn things in sich a light,</p> +<p>I'd faïn ha' heär'd her talk all night;</p> +<p>An' when I brought her milk avore</p> +<p>The geäte, she took it in to door,</p> +<p>An' if her païl had but allow'd</p> +<p>Her head to vall, she would ha' bow'd,</p> +<p>An' still, as 'twer, I had the zight</p> +<p>Ov her sweet smile droughout the night.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page248" id="page248"></a><span class="left">[page 248]</span> + +<h4>WHEN BIRDS BE STILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor all the zun do leäve the sky,</p> +<p>An' all the sounds o' day do die,</p> +<p>An' noo mwore veet do walk the dim</p> +<p>Vield-path to clim' the stiel's bars,</p> +<p>Yeet out below the rizèn stars,</p> +<p>The dark'nèn day mid leäve behind</p> +<p>Woone tongue that I shall always vind,</p> +<p>A-whisperèn kind, when birds be still.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let the day come on to spread</p> +<p>His kindly light above my head,</p> +<p>Wi' zights to zee, an' sounds to hear,</p> +<p>That still do cheer my thoughtvul mind;</p> +<p>Or let en goo, an' leäve behind</p> +<p>An' hour to stroll along the gleädes,</p> +<p>Where night do drown the beeches' sheädes,</p> +<p>On grasses' bleädes, when birds be still.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor when the night do lull the sound</p> +<p>O' cows a-bleärèn out in ground,</p> +<p>The sh'ill-vaïc'd dog do stan' an' bark</p> +<p>'Ithin the dark, bezide the road;</p> +<p>An' when noo cracklèn waggon's lwoad</p> +<p>Is in the leäne, the wind do bring</p> +<p>The merry peals that bells do ring</p> +<p>O ding-dong-ding, when birds be still.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo teäke, vor me, the town a-drown'd,</p> +<p>'Ithin a storm o' rumblèn sound,</p> +<p>An' gi'e me vaïces that do speak</p> +<p>So soft an' meek, to souls alwone;</p> +<p>The brook a-gurglèn round a stwone,</p><a name="page249" id="page249"></a><span class="left">[page 249]</span> +<p>An' birds o' day a-zingèn clear,</p> +<p>An' leaves, that I mid zit an' hear</p> +<p>A-rustlèn near, when birds be still.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p249" id="p249"></a> + +<h4>RIDEN HWOME AT NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! no, I quite injaÿ'd the ride</p> +<p class="i2">Behind wold Dobbin's heavy heels,</p> +<p>Wi' Jeäne a-prattlèn at my zide,</p> +<p class="i2">Above our peäir o' spinnèn wheels,</p> +<p>As grey-rin'd ashes' swaÿèn tops</p> +<p>Did creak in moonlight in the copse,</p> +<p>Above the quiv'rèn grass, a-beät</p> +<p>By wind a-blowèn drough the geät.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If weary souls did want their sleep,</p> +<p class="i2">They had a-zent vor sleep the night;</p> +<p>Vor vo'k that had a call to keep</p> +<p class="i2">Awake, lik' us, there still wer light.</p> +<p>An' He that shut the sleepers' eyes,</p> +<p>A-waïtèn vor the zun to rise,</p> +<p>Ha' too much love to let em know</p> +<p>The ling'rèn night did goo so slow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But if my wife did catch a zight</p> +<p class="i2">O' zome queer pollard, or a post,</p> +<p>Poor soul! she took en in her fright</p> +<p class="i2">To be a robber or a ghost.</p> +<p>A two-stump'd withy, wi' a head,</p> +<p>Mus' be a man wi' eärms a-spread;</p> +<p>An' foam o' water, round a rock,</p> +<p>Wer then a drownèn leädy's frock.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zome staddle stwones to bear a mow,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer dancèn veäries on the lag;</p> +<p>An' then a snow-white sheeted cow</p> +<p class="i2">Could only be, she thought, their flag,</p><a name="page250" id="page250"></a><span class="left">[page 250]</span> +<p>An owl a-vleèn drough the wood</p> +<p>Wer men on watch vor little good;</p> +<p>An' geätes a slam'd by wind, did goo,</p> +<p>She thought, to let a robber drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But after all, she lik'd the zight</p> +<p class="i2">O' cows asleep in glitt'rèn dew;</p> +<p>An' brooks that gleam'd below the light,</p> +<p class="i2">An' dim vield paths 'ithout a shoe.</p> +<p>An' gaïly talk'd bezide my ears,</p> +<p>A-laughèn off her needless fears:</p> +<p>Or had the childern uppermost</p> +<p>In mind, instead o' thief or ghost.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when our house, wi' open door,</p> +<p class="i2">Did rumble hollow round our heads,</p> +<p>She heästen'd up to tother vloor,</p> +<p class="i2">To zee the childern in their beds;</p> +<p>An' vound woone little head awry,</p> +<p>Wi' woone a-turn'd toward the sky;</p> +<p>An' wrung her hands ageän her breast,</p> +<p>A-smilèn at their happy rest.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p250" id="p250"></a> + +<h4>ZUN-ZET.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where the western zun, unclouded,</p> +<p class="i2">Up above the grey hill-tops,</p> +<p>Did sheen drough ashes, lofty sh'ouded</p> +<p class="i2">On the turf bezide the copse,</p> +<p class="i4">In zummer weather,</p> +<p class="i4">We together,</p> +<p class="i4">Sorrow-slightèn, work-vorgettèn.</p> +<p class="i4">Gambol'd wi' the zun a-zetten.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, by flow'ry bows o' bramble,</p> +<p class="i2">Under hedge, in ash-tree sheädes,</p><a name="page251" id="page251"></a><span class="left">[page 251]</span> +<p>The dun-heaïr'd ho'se did slowly ramble</p> +<p class="i2">On the grasses' dewy bleädes,</p> +<p class="i4">Zet free o' lwoads,</p> +<p class="i4">An' stwony rwoads,</p> +<p class="i4">Vorgetvul o' the lashes frettèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Grazèn wi' the zun a-zettèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There wer rooks a-beätèn by us</p> +<p class="i2">Drough the aïr, in a vlock,</p> +<p>An' there the lively blackbird, nigh us,</p> +<p class="i2">On the meäple bough did rock,</p> +<p class="i4">Wi' ringèn droat,</p> +<p class="i4">Where zunlight smote</p> +<p class="i4">The yollow boughs o' zunny hedges</p> +<p class="i4">Over western hills' blue edges.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Waters, drough the meäds a-purlèn,</p> +<p class="i2">Glissen'd in the evenèn's light,</p> +<p>An' smoke, above the town a-curlèn,</p> +<p class="i2">Melted slowly out o' zight;</p> +<p class="i4">An' there, in glooms</p> +<p class="i4">Ov unzunn'd rooms,</p> +<p class="i4">To zome, wi' idle sorrows frettèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Zuns did set avore their zettèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We were out in geämes and reäces,</p> +<p class="i2">Loud a-laughèn, wild in me'th,</p> +<p>Wi' windblown heäir, an' zunbrown'd feäces,</p> +<p class="i2">Leäpen on the high-sky'd e'th,</p> +<p class="i4">Avore the lights</p> +<p class="i4">Wer tin'd o' nights,</p> +<p class="i4">An' while the gossamer's light nettèn</p> +<p class="i4">Sparkled to the zun a-zettèn.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page252" id="page252"></a><span class="left">[page 252]</span> + +<h4>SPRING.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now the zunny aïr's a-blowèn</p> +<p>Softly over flowers a-growèn;</p> +<p>An' the sparklèn light do quiver</p> +<p>On the ivy-bough an' river;</p> +<p>Bleätèn lambs, wi' woolly feäces,</p> +<p>Now do plaÿ, a-runnèn reäces;</p> +<p class="i6">An' the springèn</p> +<p class="i6">Lark's a-zingèn,</p> +<p>Lik' a dot avore the cloud,</p> +<p>High above the ashes sh'oud.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Housèn, in the open brightness,</p> +<p>Now do sheen in spots o' whiteness;</p> +<p>Here an' there, on upland ledges,</p> +<p>In among the trees an' hedges,</p> +<p>Where, along by vlocks o' sparrows,</p> +<p>Chatt'rèn at the ploughman's harrows.</p> +<p class="i6">Dousty rwoaded,</p> +<p class="i6">Errand-lwoaded;</p> +<p>Jenny, though her cloak is thin,</p> +<p>Do wish en hwome upon the pin.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo come along, noo longer heedvul</p> +<p>Ov the viër, leätely needvul,</p> +<p>Over grass o' slopèn leäzes,</p> +<p>Zingèn zongs in zunny breezes;</p> +<p>Out to work in copse, a-mootèn,</p> +<p>Where the primrwose is a-shootèn,</p> +<p class="i6">An in gladness,</p> +<p class="i6">Free o' sadness,</p> +<p>In the warmth o' Spring vorget</p> +<p>Leafless winter's cwold an' wet.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page253" id="page253"></a><span class="left">[page 253]</span> + +<h4>THE ZUMMER HEDGE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As light do gleäre in ev'ry ground,</p> +<p>Wi' boughy hedges out a-round</p> +<p>A-climmèn up the slopèn brows</p> +<p>O' hills, in rows o' sheädy boughs:</p> +<p>The while the hawthorn buds do blow</p> +<p>As thick as stars, an' white as snow;</p> +<p>Or cream-white blossoms be a-spread</p> +<p>About the guelder-rwoses' head;</p> +<p>How cool's the sheäde, or warm's the lewth,</p> +<p>Bezide a zummer hedge in blooth.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When we've a-work'd drough longsome hours,</p> +<p>Till dew's a-dried vrom dazzlèn flow'rs,</p> +<p>The while the climmèn zun ha' glow'd</p> +<p>Drough mwore than half his daily road:</p> +<p>Then where the sheädes do slily pass</p> +<p>Athirt our veet upon the grass,</p> +<p>As we do rest by lofty ranks</p> +<p>Ov elems on the flow'ry banks;</p> +<p>How cool's the sheäde, or warm's the lewth,</p> +<p>Bezide a zummer hedge in blooth.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But oh! below woone hedge's zide</p> +<p>Our jaÿ do come a-most to pride;</p> +<p>Out where the high-stemm'd trees do stand,</p> +<p>In row bezide our own free land,</p> +<p>An' where the wide-leav'd clote mid zwim</p> +<p>'Ithin our water's rushy rim:</p> +<p>An' raïn do vall, an' zuns do burn,</p> +<p>An' each in season, and in turn,</p> +<p>To cool the sheäde or warm the lewth</p> +<p>Ov our own zummer hedge in blooth.</p></div> +<a name="page254" id="page254"></a><span class="left">[page 254]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How soft do sheäke the zummer hedge—</p> +<p>How soft do sway the zummer zedge—</p> +<p>How bright be zummer skies an' zun—</p> +<p>How bright the zummer brook do run;</p> +<p>An' feäir the flow'rs do bloom, to feäde</p> +<p>Behind the swaÿen mower's bleäde;</p> +<p>An' sweet be merry looks o' jaÿ,</p> +<p>By weäles an' pooks o' June's new haÿ,</p> +<p>Wi' smilèn age, an laughèn youth,</p> +<p>Bezide the zummer hedge in blooth.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p254" id="p254"></a> + +<h4>THE WATER CROWVOOT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O' small-feäc'd flow'r that now dost bloom</p> +<p>To stud wi' white the shallow Frome,</p> +<p>An' leäve the clote to spread his flow'r</p> +<p>On darksome pools o' stwoneless Stour,</p> +<p>When sof'ly-rizèn aïrs do cool</p> +<p>The water in the sheenèn pool,</p> +<p>Thy beds o' snow-white buds do gleam</p> +<p>So feäir upon the sky-blue stream,</p> +<p>As whitest clouds, a-hangèn high</p> +<p>Avore the blueness o' the sky;</p> +<p>An' there, at hand, the thin-heäir'd cows,</p> +<p>In aïry sheädes o' withy boughs,</p> +<p>Or up bezide the mossy raïls,</p> +<p>Do stan' an' zwing their heavy taïls,</p> +<p>The while the ripplèn stream do flow</p> +<p>Below the dousty bridge's bow;</p> +<p>An' quiv'rèn water-gleams do mock</p> +<p>The weäves, upon the sheäded rock;</p> +<p>An' up athirt the copèn stwone</p> +<p>The laïtren bwoy do leän alwone,</p> +<p>A-watchèn, wi' a stedvast look,</p> +<p>The vallèn waters in the brook,</p><a name="page255" id="page255"></a><span class="left">[page 255]</span> +<p>The while the zand o' time do run</p> +<p>An' leäve his errand still undone.</p> +<p>An' oh! as long's thy buds would gleam</p> +<p>Above the softly-slidèn stream,</p> +<p>While sparklèn zummer-brooks do run</p> +<p>Below the lofty-climèn zun,</p> +<p>I only wish that thou could'st staÿ</p> +<p>Vor noo man's harm, an' all men's jaÿ.</p> +<p>But no, the waterman 'ull weäde</p> +<p>Thy water wi' his deadly bleäde,</p> +<p>To slay thee even in thy bloom,</p> +<p>Fair small-feäced flower o' the Frome.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p255" id="p255"></a> + +<h4>THE LILAC.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Dear lilac-tree, a-spreadèn wide</p> +<p>Thy purple blooth on ev'ry zide,</p> +<p>As if the hollow sky did shed</p> +<p>Its blue upon thy flow'ry head;</p> +<p>Oh! whether I mid sheäre wi' thee</p> +<p>Thy open aïr, my bloomèn tree,</p> +<p>Or zee thy blossoms vrom the gloom,</p> +<p>'Ithin my zunless workèn-room,</p> +<p>My heart do leäp, but leäp wi' sighs,</p> +<p>At zight o' thee avore my eyes,</p> +<p>For when thy grey-blue head do swaÿ</p> +<p>In cloudless light, 'tis Spring, 'tis Maÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis Spring, 'tis Maÿ, as Maÿ woonce shed</p> +<p>His glowèn light above thy head—</p> +<p>When thy green boughs, wi' bloomy tips,</p> +<p>Did sheäde my childern's laughèn lips;</p> +<p>A-screenèn vrom the noonday gleäre</p> +<p>Their rwosy cheäks an' glossy heäir;</p><a name="page256" id="page256"></a><span class="left">[page 256]</span> +<p>The while their mother's needle sped,</p> +<p>Too quick vor zight, the snow-white thread,</p> +<p>Unless her han', wi' lovèn ceäre,</p> +<p>Did smooth their little heads o' heäir;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Or wi' a sheäke, tie up anew</p> +<p>Vor zome wild voot, a slippèn shoe;</p> +<p>An' I did leän bezide thy mound</p> +<p>Ageän the deäsy-dappled ground,</p> +<p>The while the woaken clock did tick</p> +<p>My hour o' rest away too quick,</p> +<p>An' call me off to work anew,</p> +<p>Wi' slowly-ringèn strokes, woone, two.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let me zee noo darksome cloud</p> +<p>Bedim to-day thy flow'ry sh'oud,</p> +<p>But let en bloom on ev'ry spraÿ,</p> +<p>Drough all the days o' zunny Maÿ.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p256" id="p256"></a> + +<h4>THE BLACKBIRD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer out at Penley I'd a-past</p> +<p>A zummer day that went too vast,</p> +<p>An' when the zettèn zun did spread</p> +<p>On western clouds a vi'ry red;</p> +<p>The elems' leafy limbs wer still</p> +<p>Above the gravel-bedded rill,</p> +<p>An' under en did warble sh'ill,</p> +<p>Avore the dusk, the blackbird.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, in sheädes o' darksome yews,</p> +<p>Did vlee the maïdens on their tooes,</p> +<p>A-laughèn sh'ill wi' merry feäce</p> +<p>When we did vind their hidèn pleäce.</p><a name="page257" id="page257"></a><span class="left">[page 257]</span> +<p>'Ithin the loose-bough'd ivys gloom,</p> +<p>Or lofty lilac, vull in bloom,</p> +<p>Or hazzle-wrides that gi'ed em room</p> +<p>Below the zingèn blackbird.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above our heads the rooks did vlee</p> +<p>To reach their nested elem-tree,</p> +<p>An' splashèn vish did rise to catch</p> +<p>The wheelèn gnots above the hatch;</p> +<p>An' there the miller went along,</p> +<p>A-smilèn, up the sheädy drong,</p> +<p>But yeet too deaf to hear the zong</p> +<p>A-zung us by the blackbird.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the sh'illy-bubblèn brook</p> +<p>Did leäve behind his rocky nook,</p> +<p>To run drough meäds a-chill'd wi' dew,</p> +<p>Vrom hour to hour the whole night drough;</p> +<p>But still his murmurs wer a-drown'd</p> +<p>By vaïces that mid never sound</p> +<p>Ageän together on that ground,</p> +<p>Wi' whislèns o' the blackbird.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p257" id="p257"></a> + +<h4>THE SLANTÈN LIGHT O' FALL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! Jeäne, my maïd, I stood to you,</p> +<p class="i2">When you wer christen'd, small an' light,</p> +<p>Wi' tiny eärms o' red an' blue,</p> +<p class="i2">A-hangèn in your robe o' white.</p> +<p>We brought ye to the hallow'd stwone,</p> +<p>Vor Christ to teäke ye vor his own,</p> +<p>When harvest work wer all a-done,</p> +<p>An' time brought round October zun—</p> +<p class="i4">The slantèn light o' Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I can mind the wind wer rough,</p> +<p class="i2">An' gather'd clouds, but brought noo storms,</p><a name="page258" id="page258"></a><span class="left">[page 258]</span> +<p>An' you did nessle warm enough,</p> +<p class="i2">'Ithin your smilèn mother's eärms.</p> +<p>The whindlèn grass did quiver light,</p> +<p>Among the stubble, feäded white,</p> +<p>An' if at times the zunlight broke</p> +<p>Upon the ground, or on the vo'k,</p> +<p class="i4">'Twer slantèn light o' Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when we brought ye drough the door</p> +<p class="i2">O' Knapton Church, a child o' greäce,</p> +<p>There cluster'd round a'most a score</p> +<p class="i2">O' vo'k to zee your tiny feäce.</p> +<p>An' there we all did veel so proud,</p> +<p>To zee an' op'nèn in the cloud,</p> +<p>An' then a stream o' light break drough,</p> +<p>A-sheenèn brightly down on you—</p> +<p class="i4">The slantèn light o' Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now your time's a-come to stand</p> +<p class="i2">In church, a-blushèn at my zide,</p> +<p>The while a bridegroom vrom my hand</p> +<p class="i2">Ha' took ye vor his faïthvul bride.</p> +<p>Your christèn neäme we gi'd ye here,</p> +<p>When Fall did cool the weästèn year;</p> +<p>An' now, ageän, we brought ye drough</p> +<p>The doorway, wi' your surneäme new,</p> +<p class="i4">In slantèn light o' Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo vur, Jeäne, your life is feäir,</p> +<p class="i2">An' God ha' been your steadvast friend,</p> +<p>An' mid ye have mwore jaÿ than ceäre,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor ever, till your journey's end.</p> +<p>An' I've a-watch'd ye on wi' pride,</p> +<p>But now I soon mus' leäve your zide,</p> +<p>Vor you ha' still life's spring-tide zun,</p> +<p>But my life, Jeäne, is now a-run</p> +<p class="i4">To slantèn light o' Fall.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page259" id="page259"></a><span class="left">[page 259]</span> + +<h4>THISSLEDOWN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The thissledown by wind's a-roll'd</p> +<p class="i2">In Fall along the zunny plaïn,</p> +<p>Did catch the grass, but lose its hold,</p> +<p class="i2">Or cling to bennets, but in vaïn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when it zwept along the grass,</p> +<p class="i2">An' zunk below the hollow's edge,</p> +<p>It lay at rest while winds did pass</p> +<p class="i2">Above the pit-bescreenèn ledge.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The plaïn ha' brightness wi' his strife,</p> +<p class="i2">The pit is only dark at best,</p> +<p>There's pleasure in a worksome life,</p> +<p class="i2">An' sloth is tiresome wi' its rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo, then, I'd sooner beär my peärt,</p> +<p class="i2">Ov all the trials vo'k do rue,</p> +<p>Than have a deadness o' the heart,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' nothèn mwore to veel or do.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p259" id="p259"></a> + +<h4>THE MAY-TREE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I've a-come by the Maÿ-tree all times o' the year,</p> +<p class="i8">When leaves wer a-springèn,</p> +<p class="i8">When vrost wer a-stingèn,</p> +<p>When cool-winded mornèn did show the hills clear,</p> +<p>When night wer bedimmèn the vields vur an' near.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When, in zummer, his head wer as white as a sheet,</p> +<p class="i8">Wi' white buds a-zwellèn,</p> +<p class="i8">An' blossom, sweet-smellèn,</p> +<p>While leaves wi' green leaves on his bough-zides did meet,</p> +<p>A-sheädèn the deäisies down under our veet.</p></div> +<a name="page260" id="page260"></a><span class="left">[page 260]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the zun, in the Fall, wer a-wanderèn wan,</p> +<p class="i8">An' haws on his head</p> +<p class="i8">Did sprinkle en red,</p> +<p>Or bright drops o' raïn wer a-hung loosely on,</p> +<p>To the tips o' the sprigs when the scud wer a-gone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when, in the winter, the zun did goo low,</p> +<p class="i8">An' keen win' did huffle,</p> +<p class="i8">But never could ruffle</p> +<p>The hard vrozen feäce o' the water below,</p> +<p>His limbs wer a-fringed wi' the vrost or the snow.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p260" id="p260"></a> + +<h4>LYDLINCH BELLS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When skies wer peäle wi' twinklèn stars,</p> +<p>An' whislèn aïr a-risèn keen;</p> +<p>An' birds did leäve the icy bars</p> +<p>To vind, in woods, their mossy screen;</p> +<p>When vrozen grass, so white's a sheet,</p> +<p>Did scrunchy sharp below our veet,</p> +<p>An' water, that did sparkle red</p> +<p>At zunzet, wer a-vrozen dead;</p> +<p>The ringers then did spend an hour</p> +<p>A-ringèn changes up in tow'r;</p> +<p>Vor Lydlinch bells be good vor sound,</p> +<p>An' liked by all the naïghbours round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while along the leafless boughs</p> +<p>O' ruslèn hedges, win's did pass,</p> +<p>An' orts ov haÿ, a-left by cows,</p> +<p>Did russle on the vrozen grass,</p> +<p>An' maïdens' païls, wi' all their work</p> +<p>A-done, did hang upon their vurk,</p> +<p>An' they, avore the fleämèn brand,</p> +<p>Did teäke their needle-work in hand,</p> +<p>The men did cheer their heart an hour</p> +<p>A-ringèn changes up in tow'r;</p><a name="page261" id="page261"></a><span class="left">[page 261]</span> +<p>Vor Lydlinch bells be good vor sound,</p> +<p>An' liked by all the naïghbours round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There sons did pull the bells that rung</p> +<p>Their mothers' weddèn peals avore,</p> +<p>The while their fathers led em young</p> +<p>An' blushèn vrom the churches door,</p> +<p>An' still did cheem, wi' happy sound,</p> +<p>As time did bring the Zundays round,</p> +<p>An' call em to the holy pleäce</p> +<p>Vor heav'nly gifts o' peace an' greäce;</p> +<p>An' vo'k did come, a-streamèn slow</p> +<p>Along below the trees in row,</p> +<p>While they, in merry peals, did sound</p> +<p>The bells vor all the naïghbours round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the bells, wi' changèn peal,</p> +<p>Did smite their own vo'ks window-peänes,</p> +<p>Their sof'en'd sound did often steal</p> +<p>Wi' west winds drough the Bagber leänes;</p> +<p>Or, as the win' did shift, mid goo</p> +<p>Where woody Stock do nessle lew,</p> +<p>Or where the risèn moon did light</p> +<p>The walls o' Thornhill on the height;</p> +<p>An' zoo, whatever time mid bring</p> +<p>To meäke their vive clear vaïces zing,</p> +<p>Still Lydlinch bells wer good vor sound,</p> +<p>An' liked by all the naïghbours round.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p261" id="p261"></a> + +<h4>THE STAGE COACH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! when the wold vo'k went abroad</p> +<p class="i2">They thought it vast enough,</p> +<p>If vow'r good ho'ses beät the road</p> +<p class="i2">Avore the coach's ruf;</p> +<p class="i6">An' there they zot,</p> +<p class="i6">A-cwold or hot,</p><a name="page262" id="page262"></a><span class="left">[page 262]</span> +<p>An' roll'd along the ground,</p> +<p class="i4">While the whip did smack</p> +<p class="i4">On the ho'ses' back,</p> +<p>An' the wheels went swiftly round, Good so's;</p> +<p class="i8">The wheels went swiftly round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Noo iron raïls did streak the land</p> +<p class="i2">To keep the wheels in track.</p> +<p>The coachman turn'd his vow'r-in-hand,</p> +<p class="i2">Out right, or left, an' back;</p> +<p class="i6">An' he'd stop avore</p> +<p class="i6">A man's own door,</p> +<p>To teäke en up or down:</p> +<p class="i4">While the reïns vell slack</p> +<p class="i4">On the ho'ses' back,</p> +<p>Till the wheels did rottle round ageän;</p> +<p class="i8">Till the wheels did rottle round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, when wintry win' did blow,</p> +<p class="i2">Athirt the plaïn an' hill,</p> +<p>An' the zun wer peäle above the snow,</p> +<p class="i2">An' ice did stop the mill,</p> +<p class="i6">They did laugh an' joke</p> +<p class="i6">Wi' cwoat or cloke,</p> +<p>So warmly roun' em bound,</p> +<p class="i4">While the whip did crack</p> +<p class="i4">On the ho'ses' back,</p> +<p>An' the wheels did trundle round, d'ye know;</p> +<p class="i8">The wheels did trundle round.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the rumblèn coach did pass</p> +<p class="i2">Where hufflèn winds did roar,</p> +<p>They'd stop to teäke a warmèn glass</p> +<p class="i2">By the sign above the door;</p> +<p class="i6">An' did laugh an' joke</p> +<p class="i6">An' ax the vo'k</p><a name="page263" id="page263"></a><span class="left">[page 263]</span> +<p>The miles they wer vrom town,</p> +<p class="i4">Till the whip did crack</p> +<p class="i4">On the ho'ses back,</p> +<p>An' the wheels did truckle roun', good vo'k;</p> +<p class="i8">The wheels did truckle roun'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' gaïly rod wold age or youth,</p> +<p class="i2">When zummer light did vall</p> +<p>On woods in leaf, or trees in blooth,</p> +<p class="i2">Or girt vo'ks parkzide wall.</p> +<p class="i6">An' they thought they past</p> +<p class="i6">The pleäces vast,</p> +<p>Along the dousty groun',</p> +<p class="i4">When the whip did smack</p> +<p class="i4">On the ho'ses' back,</p> +<p>An' the wheels spun swiftly roun'. Them days</p> +<p class="i8">The wheels spun swiftly roun'.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p263" id="p263"></a> + +<h4>WAYFEAREN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The sky wer clear, the zunsheen glow'd</p> +<p class="i2">On droopèn flowers drough the day,</p> +<p>As I did beät the dousty road</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom hinder hills, a-feädèn gray;</p> +<p class="i2">Drough hollows up the hills,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom knaps along by mills,</p> +<p>Vrom mills by churches tow'rs, wi' bells</p> +<p>That twold the hours to woody dells.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the windèn road do guide</p> +<p class="i2">The thirsty vootman where mid flow</p> +<p>The water vrom a rock bezide</p> +<p class="i2">His vootsteps, in a sheenèn bow;</p> +<p class="i2">The hand a-hollow'd up</p> +<p class="i2">Do beät a goolden cup,</p> +<p>To catch an' drink it, bright an' cool,</p> +<p>A-vallèn light 'ithin the pool.</p></div> +<a name="page264" id="page264"></a><span class="left">[page 264]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo when, at last, I hung my head</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' thirsty lips a-burnèn dry,</p> +<p>I come bezide a river-bed</p> +<p class="i2">Where water flow'd so blue's the sky;</p> +<p class="i2">An' there I meäde me up</p> +<p class="i2">O' coltsvoot leaf a cup,</p> +<p>Where water vrom his lip o' gray,</p> +<p>Wer sweet to sip thik burnèn day.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when our work is right, a jaÿ</p> +<p class="i2">Do come to bless us in its traïn,</p> +<p>An' hardships ha' zome good to paÿ</p> +<p class="i2">The thoughtvul soul vor all their päin:</p> +<p class="i2">The het do sweetèn sheäde,</p> +<p class="i2">An' weary lim's ha' meäde</p> +<p>A bed o' slumber, still an' sound,</p> +<p>By woody hill or grassy mound.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while I zot in sweet delay</p> +<p class="i2">Below an elem on a hill,</p> +<p>Where boughs a-halfway up did swaÿ</p> +<p class="i2">In sheädes o' lim's above em still,</p> +<p class="i2">An' blue sky show'd between</p> +<p class="i2">The flutt'rèn leäves o' green;</p> +<p>I woulden gi'e that gloom an' sheäde</p> +<p>Vor any room that weälth ha' meäde.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But oh! that vo'k that have the roads</p> +<p class="i2">Where weary-vooted souls do pass,</p> +<p>Would leäve bezide the stwone vor lwoads,</p> +<p class="i2">A little strip vor zummer grass;</p> +<p class="i2">That when the stwones do bruise</p> +<p class="i2">An' burn an' gall our tooes,</p> +<p>We then mid cool our veet on beds</p> +<p>O' wild-thyme sweet, or deäisy-heads.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page265" id="page265"></a><span class="left">[page 265]</span> + +<h4>THE LEANE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>They do zay that a travellèn chap</p> +<p class="i2">Have a-put in the newspeäper now,</p> +<p>That the bit o' green ground on the knap</p> +<p class="i2">Should be all a-took in vor the plough.</p> +<p>He do fancy 'tis easy to show</p> +<p class="i2">That we can be but stunpolls at best,</p> +<p>Vor to leäve a green spot where a flower can grow,</p> +<p class="i2">Or a voot-weary walker mid rest.</p> +<p>Tis hedge-grubbèn, Thomas, an' ledge-grubbèn,</p> +<p class="i6">Never a-done</p> +<p>While a sov'rèn mwore's to be won.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The road, he do zay, is so wide</p> +<p class="i2">As 'tis wanted vor travellers' wheels,</p> +<p>As if all that did travel did ride</p> +<p class="i2">An' did never get galls on their heels.</p> +<p>He would leäve sich a thin strip o' groun',</p> +<p class="i2">That, if a man's veet in his shoes</p> +<p>Wer a-burnèn an' zore, why he coulden zit down</p> +<p class="i2">But the wheels would run over his tooes.</p> +<p>Vor 'tis meäke money, Thomas, an' teäke money,</p> +<p class="i6">What's zwold an' bought</p> +<p>Is all that is worthy o' thought.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Years agoo the leäne-zides did bear grass,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to pull wi' the geeses' red bills,</p> +<p>That did hiss at the vo'k that did pass,</p> +<p class="i2">Or the bwoys that pick'd up their white quills.</p> +<p>But shortly, if vower or vive</p> +<p class="i2">Ov our goslèns do creep vrom the agg,</p> +<p>They must mwope in the geärden, mwore dead than alive,</p> +<p class="i2">In a coop, or a-tied by the lag.</p><a name="page266" id="page266"></a><span class="left">[page 266]</span> +<p>Vor to catch at land, Thomas, an' snatch at land,</p> +<p class="i6">Now is the plan;</p> +<p>Meäke money wherever you can.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The childern wull soon have noo pleäce</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to plaÿ in, an' if they do grow,</p> +<p>They wull have a thin musheroom feäce,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' their bodies so sumple as dough.</p> +<p>But a man is a-meäde ov a child,</p> +<p class="i2">An' his limbs do grow worksome by plaÿ;</p> +<p>An' if the young child's little body's a-spweil'd,</p> +<p class="i2">Why, the man's wull the sooner decaÿ.</p> +<p>But wealth is wo'th now mwore than health is wo'th;</p> +<p class="i6">Let it all goo,</p> +<p>If't 'ull bring but a sov'rèn or two.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor to breed the young fox or the heäre,</p> +<p class="i2">We can gi'e up whole eäcres o' ground,</p> +<p>But the greens be a-grudg'd, vor to rear</p> +<p class="i2">Our young childern up healthy an' sound,</p> +<p>Why, there woont be a-left the next age</p> +<p class="i2">A green spot where their veet can goo free;</p> +<p>An' the goocoo wull soon be committed to cage</p> +<p class="i2">Vor a trespass in zomebody's tree.</p> +<p>Vor 'tis lockèn up, Thomas, an' blockèn up,</p> +<p class="i6">Stranger or brother,</p> +<p>Men mussen come nigh woone another.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Woone day I went in at a geäte,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' my child, where an echo did sound,</p> +<p>An' the owner come up, an' did reäte</p> +<p class="i2">Me as if I would car off his ground.</p> +<p>But his vield an' the grass wer a-let,</p> +<p class="i2">An' the damage that he could a-took</p> +<p>Wer at mwost that the while I did open the geäte</p> +<p class="i2">I did rub roun' the eye on the hook.</p><a name="page267" id="page267"></a><span class="left">[page 267]</span> +<p>But 'tis drevèn out, Thomas, an' hevèn out.</p> +<p class="i6">Trample noo grounds,</p> +<p>Unless you be after the hounds.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! the Squiër o' Culver-dell Hall</p> +<p class="i2">Wer as diff'rent as light is vrom dark,</p> +<p>Wi' zome vo'k that, as evenèn did vall,</p> +<p class="i2">Had a-broke drough long grass in his park;</p> +<p>Vor he went, wi' a smile, vor to meet</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' the trespassers while they did pass,</p> +<p>An' he zaid, "I do fear you'll catch cwold in your veet,</p> +<p class="i2">You've a-walk'd drough so much o' my grass."</p> +<p>His mild words, Thomas, cut em like swords, Thomas,</p> +<p class="i6">Newly a-whet,</p> +<p>An' went vurder wi' them than a dreat.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p267" id="p267"></a> + +<h4>THE RAILROAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I took a flight, awhile agoo,</p> +<p>Along the raïls, a stage or two,</p> +<p>An' while the heavy wheels did spin</p> +<p>An' rottle, wi' a deafnèn din,</p> +<p>In clouds o' steam, the zweepèn traïn</p> +<p>Did shoot along the hill-bound plaïn,</p> +<p>As sheädes o' birds in flight, do pass</p> +<p>Below em on the zunny grass.</p> +<p>An' as I zot, an' look'd abrode</p> +<p>On leänen land an' windèn road,</p> +<p>The ground a-spread along our flight</p> +<p>Did vlee behind us out o' zight;</p> +<p>The while the zun, our heav'nly guide,</p> +<p>Did ride on wi' us, zide by zide.</p> +<p>An' zoo, while time, vrom stage to stage,</p> +<p>Do car us on vrom youth to age,</p><a name="page268" id="page268"></a><span class="left">[page 268]</span> +<p>The e'thly pleasures we do vind</p> +<p>Be soon a-met, an' left behind;</p> +<p>But God, beholdèn vrom above</p> +<p>Our lowly road, wi' yearnèn love,</p> +<p>Do keep bezide us, stage by stage,</p> +<p>Vrom be'th to youth, vrom youth to age.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p268-1" id="p268-1"></a> + +<h4>THE RAILROAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while I went 'ithin a traïn,</p> +<p>A-ridèn on athirt the plaïn,</p> +<p>A-cleären swifter than a hound,</p> +<p>On twin-laid rails, the zwimmèn ground;</p> +<p>I cast my eyes 'ithin a park,</p> +<p>Upon a woak wi' grey-white bark,</p> +<p>An' while I kept his head my mark,</p> +<p>The rest did wheel around en.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when in life our love do cling</p> +<p>The clwosest round zome single thing,</p> +<p>We then do vind that all the rest</p> +<p>Do wheel roun' that, vor vu'st an' best;</p> +<p>Zoo while our life do last, mid nought</p> +<p>But what is good an' feäir be sought,</p> +<p>In word or deed, or heart or thought,</p> +<p>An' all the rest wheel round it.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p268-2" id="p268-2"></a> + +<h4>SEATS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When starbright maïdens be to zit</p> +<p class="i2">In silken frocks, that they do wear,</p> +<p>The room mid have, as 'tis but fit,</p> +<p class="i2">A han'some seat vor vo'k so feäir;</p> +<p>But we, in zun-dried vield an' wood,</p> +<p class="i2">Ha' seats as good's a goolden chair.</p></div> +<a name="page269" id="page269"></a><span class="left">[page 269]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor here, 'ithin the woody drong,</p> +<p class="i2">A ribbèd elem-stem do lie,</p> +<p>A-vell'd in Spring, an' stratch'd along</p> +<p class="i2">A bed o' grægles up knee-high,</p> +<p>A sheädy seat to rest, an' let</p> +<p class="i2">The burnèn het o' noon goo by.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Or if you'd look, wi' wider scope,</p> +<p class="i2">Out where the gray-tree'd plaïn do spread,</p> +<p>The ash bezide the zunny slope,</p> +<p class="i2">Do sheäde a cool-aïr'd deäisy bed,</p> +<p>An' grassy seat, wi' spreadèn eaves</p> +<p class="i2">O' rus'lèn leaves, above your head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the traïn mid come in zight,</p> +<p class="i2">Too vur to hear a-rollèn by,</p> +<p>A-breathèn quick, in heästy flight,</p> +<p class="i2">His breath o' tweil, avore the sky,</p> +<p>The while the waggon, wi' his lwoad,</p> +<p class="i2">Do crawl the rwoad a-windèn nigh.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Or now theäse happy holiday</p> +<p class="i2">Do let vo'k rest their weäry lim's,</p> +<p>An' lwoaded hay's a-hangèn gray,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the waggon-wheels' dry rims,</p> +<p>The meäd ha' seats in weäles or pooks,</p> +<p class="i2">By windèn brooks, wi' crumblèn brims.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Or if you'd gi'e your thoughtvul mind</p> +<p class="i2">To yonder long-vorseäken hall,</p> +<p>Then teäke a stwonèn seat behind</p> +<p class="i2">The ivy on the broken wall,</p> +<p>An' learn how e'thly wealth an' might</p> +<p class="i2">Mid clim' their height, an' then mid vall.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page270" id="page270"></a><span class="left">[page 270]</span> + +<h4>SOUND O' WATER</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I born in town! oh no, my dawn</p> +<p>O' life broke here beside theäse lawn;</p> +<p>Not where pent aïr do roll along,</p> +<p>In darkness drough the wall-bound drong,</p> +<p>An' never bring the goo-coo's zong,</p> +<p>Nor sweets o' blossoms in the hedge,</p> +<p>Or bendèn rush, or sheenèn zedge,</p> +<p class="i2">Or sounds o' flowèn water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The aïr that I've a-breath'd did sheäke</p> +<p>The draps o' raïn upon the breäke,</p> +<p>An' bear aloft the swingèn lark,</p> +<p>An' huffle roun' the elem's bark,</p> +<p>In boughy grove, an' woody park,</p> +<p>An' brought us down the dewy dells,</p> +<p>The high-wound zongs o' nightingeäles.</p> +<p class="i2">An' sounds o' flowèn water.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the zun, wi' vi'ry rim,</p> +<p>'S a-zinkèn low, an' wearèn dim,</p> +<p>Here I, a-most too tired to stand,</p> +<p>Do leäve my work that's under hand</p> +<p>In pathless wood or oben land,</p> +<p>To rest 'ithin my thatchèn oves,</p> +<p>Wi' ruslèn win's in leafy groves,</p> +<p class="i2">An' sounds o' flowèn water.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p270" id="p270"></a> + +<h4>TREES BE COMPANY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When zummer's burnèn het's a-shed</p> +<p>Upon the droopèn grasses head,</p> +<p>A-drevèn under sheädy leaves</p> +<p>The workvo'k in their snow-white sleeves,</p><a name="page271" id="page271"></a><span class="left">[page 271]</span> +<p>We then mid yearn to clim' the height,</p> +<p class="i2">Where thorns be white, above the vern;</p> +<p>An' aïr do turn the zunsheen's might</p> +<p class="i2">To softer light too weak to burn—</p> +<p class="i4">On woodless downs we mid be free,</p> +<p class="i4">But lowland trees be company.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though downs mid show a wider view</p> +<p>O' green a-reachèn into blue</p> +<p>Than roads a-windèn in the glen,</p> +<p>An' ringèn wi' the sounds o' men;</p> +<p>The thissle's crown o' red an' blue</p> +<p class="i2">In Fall's cwold dew do wither brown,</p> +<p>An' larks come down 'ithin the lew,</p> +<p class="i2">As storms do brew, an' skies do frown—</p> +<p class="i4">An' though the down do let us free,</p> +<p class="i4">The lowland trees be company.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where birds do zing, below the zun,</p> +<p>In trees above the blue-smok'd tun,</p> +<p>An' sheädes o' stems do overstratch</p> +<p>The mossy path 'ithin the hatch;</p> +<p>If leaves be bright up over head,</p> +<p class="i2">When Maÿ do shed its glitt'rèn light;</p> +<p>Or, in the blight o' Fall, do spread</p> +<p class="i2">A yollow bed avore our zight—</p> +<p class="i4">Whatever season it mid be,</p> +<p class="i4">The trees be always company.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When dusky night do nearly hide</p> +<p>The path along the hedge's zide,</p> +<p>An' dailight's hwomely sounds be still</p> +<p>But sounds o' water at the mill;</p> +<p>Then if noo feäce we long'd to greet</p> +<p class="i2">Could come to meet our lwonesome treäce</p> +<p>Or if noo peäce o' weary veet,</p><a name="page272" id="page272"></a><span class="left">[page 272]</span> +<p class="i2">However fleet, could reach its pleäce—</p> +<p class="i4">However lwonesome we mid be,</p> +<p class="i4">The trees would still be company.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p272" id="p272"></a> + +<h4>A PLEÄCE IN ZIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I at work do look aroun'</p> +<p>Upon the groun' I have in view,</p> +<p>To yonder hills that still do rise</p> +<p>Avore the skies, wi' backs o' blue;</p> +<p>'Ithin the ridges that do vall</p> +<p>An' rise roun' Blackmwore lik' a wall,</p> +<p>'Tis yonder knap do teäke my zight</p> +<p>Vrom dawn till night, the mwost ov all.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, in Maÿ, 'ithin the lewth</p> +<p>O' boughs in blooth, be sheädy walks,</p> +<p>An' cowslips up in yollow beds</p> +<p>Do hang their heads on downy stalks;</p> +<p>An' if the weather should be feäir</p> +<p>When I've a holiday to speäre,</p> +<p>I'll teäke the chance o' gettèn drough</p> +<p>An hour or two wi' zome vo'k there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there I now can dimly zee</p> +<p>The elem-tree upon the mound,</p> +<p>An' there meäke out the high-bough'd grove</p> +<p>An' narrow drove by Redcliff ground;</p> +<p>An' there by trees a-risèn tall,</p> +<p>The glowèn zunlight now do vall,</p> +<p>Wi' shortest sheädes o' middle day,</p> +<p>Upon the gray wold house's wall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I can zee avore the sky</p> +<p>A-risèn high the churches speer,</p> +<p>Wi' bells that I do goo to swing,</p> +<p>An' like to ring, an' like to hear;</p><a name="page273" id="page273"></a><span class="left">[page 273]</span> +<p>An' if I've luck upon my zide,</p> +<p>They bells shall sound bwoth loud an' wide,</p> +<p>A peal above they slopes o' gray,</p> +<p>Zome merry day wi' Jeäne a bride.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p273" id="p273"></a> + +<h4>GWAIN TO BROOKWELL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At Easter, though the wind wer high,</p> +<p>We vound we had a zunny sky,</p> +<p>An' zoo wold Dobbin had to trudge</p> +<p>His dousty road by knap an' brudge,</p> +<p>An' jog, wi' hangèn vetterlocks</p> +<p>A-sheäkèn roun' his heavy hocks,</p> +<p>An' us, a lwoad not much too small,</p> +<p>A-ridèn out to Brookwell Hall;</p> +<p>An' there in doust vrom Dobbin's heels,</p> +<p>An' green light-waggon's vower wheels,</p> +<p>Our merry laughs did loudly sound,</p> +<p>In rollèn winds athirt the ground;</p> +<p>While sheenèn-ribbons' color'd streäks</p> +<p>Did flutter roun' the maïdens' cheäks,</p> +<p>As they did zit, wi' smilèn lips,</p> +<p>A-reachèn out their vinger-tips</p> +<p>Toward zome teäkèn pleäce or zight</p> +<p>That they did shew us, left or right;</p> +<p>An' woonce, when Jimmy tried to pleäce</p> +<p>A kiss on cousin Polly's feäce,</p> +<p>She push'd his hat, wi' wicked leers,</p> +<p>Right off above his two red ears,</p> +<p>An' there he roll'd along the groun'</p> +<p>Wi' spreadèn brim an' rounded crown,</p> +<p>An' vound, at last, a cowpon's brim,</p> +<p>An' launch'd hizzelf, to teäke a zwim;</p> +<p>An' there, as Jim did run to catch</p> +<p>His neäked noddle's bit o' thatch,</p><a name="page274" id="page274"></a><span class="left">[page 274]</span> +<p>To zee his straïnèns an' his strides,</p> +<p>We laugh'd enough to split our zides.</p> +<p>At Harwood Farm we pass'd the land</p> +<p>That father's father had in hand,</p> +<p>An' there, in oben light did spread,</p> +<p>The very groun's his cows did tread,</p> +<p>An' there above the stwonèn tun</p> +<p>Avore the dazzlèn mornèn zun,</p> +<p>Wer still the rollèn smoke, the breath</p> +<p>A-breath'd vrom his wold house's he'th;</p> +<p>An' there did lie below the door,</p> +<p>The drashol' that his vootsteps wore;</p> +<p>But there his meäte an' he bwoth died,</p> +<p>Wi' hand in hand, an' zide by zide;</p> +<p>Between the seäme two peals a-rung,</p> +<p>Two Zundays, though they wer but young,</p> +<p>An' laid in sleep, their worksome hands,</p> +<p>At rest vrom tweil wi' house or lands.</p> +<p>Then vower childern laid their heads</p> +<p>At night upon their little beds,</p> +<p>An' never rose ageän below</p> +<p>A mother's love, or father's ho:</p> +<p>Dree little maïdens, small in feäce,</p> +<p>An' woone small bwoy, the fourth in pleäce</p> +<p>Zoo when their heedvul father died,</p> +<p>He call'd his brother to his zide,</p> +<p>To meäke en stand, in hiz own stead,</p> +<p>His childern's guide, when he wer dead;</p> +<p>But still avore zix years brought round</p> +<p>The woodland goo-coo's zummer sound,</p> +<p>He weästed all their little store,</p> +<p>An' hardship drove em out o' door,</p> +<p>To tweil till tweilsome life should end.</p> +<p>'Ithout a single e'thly friend.</p> +<p>But soon wi' Harwood back behind,</p> +<p>An' out o' zight an' out o' mind,</p><a name="page275" id="page275"></a><span class="left">[page 275]</span> +<p>We went a-rottlèn on, an' meäde</p> +<p>Our way along to Brookwell Sleäde;</p> +<p>An' then we vound ourselves draw nigh</p> +<p>The Leädy's Tow'r that rose on high,</p> +<p>An' seem'd a-comèn on to meet,</p> +<p>Wi' growèn height, wold Dobbin's veet.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p275" id="p275"></a> + +<h4>BROOKWELL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, I do zay 'tis wo'th woone's while</p> +<p>To beät the doust a good six mile</p> +<p>To zee the pleäce the squier plann'd</p> +<p>At Brookwell, now a-meäde by hand;</p> +<p>Wi' oben lawn, an' grove, an' pon',</p> +<p>An' gravel-walks as cleän as bron;</p> +<p>An' grass a'most so soft to tread</p> +<p>As velvet-pile o' silken thread;</p> +<p>An' mounds wi' mæsh, an' rocks wi' flow'rs,</p> +<p>An' ivy-sheäded zummer bow'rs,</p> +<p>An' dribblèn water down below</p> +<p>The stwonèn archès lofty bow.</p> +<p>An' there do sound the watervall</p> +<p>Below a cavern's mæshy wall,</p> +<p>Where peäle-green light do struggle down</p> +<p>A leafy crevice at the crown.</p> +<p>An' there do gush the foamy bow</p> +<p>O' water, white as driven snow:</p> +<p>An' there, a zittèn all alwone,</p> +<p>A little maïd o' marble stwone</p> +<p>Do leän her little cheäk azide</p> +<p>Upon her lily han', an' bide</p> +<p>Bezide the vallèn stream to zee</p> +<p>Her pitcher vill'd avore her knee.</p> +<p>An' then the brook, a-rollèn dark</p> +<p>Below a leänèn yew-tree's bark,</p><a name="page276" id="page276"></a><span class="left">[page 276]</span> +<p>Wi' plaÿsome ripples that do run</p> +<p>A-flashèn to the western zun,</p> +<p>Do shoot, at last, wi' foamy shocks,</p> +<p>Athirt a ledge o' craggy rocks,</p> +<p>A-castèn in his heästy flight,</p> +<p>Upon the stwones a robe o' white;</p> +<p>An' then ageän do goo an' vall</p> +<p>Below a bridge's archèd wall,</p> +<p>Where vo'k agwaïn athirt do pass</p> +<p>Vow'r little bwoys a-cast in brass;</p> +<p>An' woone do hold an angler's wand,</p> +<p>Wi' steady hand, above the pond;</p> +<p>An' woone, a-pweïntèn to the stream</p> +<p>His little vinger-tip, do seem</p> +<p>A-showèn to his playmeätes' eyes,</p> +<p>Where he do zee the vishes rise;</p> +<p>An' woone ageän, wi' smilèn lips,</p> +<p>Do put a vish his han' do clips</p> +<p>'Ithin a basket, loosely tied</p> +<p>About his shoulder at his zide:</p> +<p>An' after that the fourth do stand</p> +<p>A-holdèn back his pretty hand</p> +<p>Behind his little ear, to drow</p> +<p>A stwone upon the stream below.</p> +<p>An' then the housèn, that be all</p> +<p>Sich pretty hwomes, vrom big to small,</p> +<p>A-lookèn south, do cluster round</p> +<p>A zunny ledge o' risèn ground,</p> +<p>Avore a wood, a-nestled warm,</p> +<p>In lewth ageän the northern storm,</p> +<p>Where smoke, a-wreathèn blue, do spread</p> +<p>Above the tuns o' dusky red,</p> +<p>An' window-peänes do glitter bright</p> +<p>Wi' burnèn streams o' zummer light,</p> +<p>Below the vine, a-traïn'd to hem</p> +<p>Their zides 'ithin his leafy stem,</p><a name="page277" id="page277"></a><span class="left">[page 277]</span> +<p>An' rangle on, wi' flutt'rèn leaves,</p> +<p>Below the houses' thatchen eaves.</p> +<p>An' drough a lawn a-spread avore</p> +<p>The windows, an' the pworchèd door,</p> +<p>A path do wind 'ithin a hatch,</p> +<p>A-vastèn'd wi' a clickèn latch,</p> +<p>An' there up over ruf an' tun,</p> +<p>Do stan' the smooth-wall'd church o' stwone,</p> +<p>Wi' carvèd windows, thin an' tall,</p> +<p>A-reachèn up the lofty wall;</p> +<p>An' battlements, a-stannèn round</p> +<p>The tower, ninety veet vrom ground,</p> +<p>Vrom where a teäp'rèn speer do spring</p> +<p>So high's the mornèn lark do zing.</p> +<p>Zoo I do zay 'tis wo'th woone's while</p> +<p>To beät the doust a good six mile,</p> +<p>To zee the pleäce the squier plann'd</p> +<p>At Brookwell, now a-meäde by hand.</p></div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p277" id="p277"></a> + +<h4>THE SHY MAN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! good Meäster Gwillet, that you mid ha' know'd,</p> +<p>Wer a-bred up at Coomb, an' went little abroad:</p> +<p>An' if he got in among strangers, he velt</p> +<p>His poor heart in a twitter, an' ready to melt;</p> +<p>Or if, by ill luck, in his rambles, he met</p> +<p>Wi' zome maïdens a-titt'rèn, he burn'd wi' a het,</p> +<p>That shot all drough the lim's o'n, an' left a cwold zweat,</p> +<p class="i4">The poor little chap wer so shy,</p> +<p class="i4">He wer ready to drap, an' to die.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But at last 'twer the lot o' the poor little man</p> +<p>To vall deeply in love, as the best ov us can;</p> +<p>An' 'twer noo easy task vor a shy man to tell</p> +<p>Sich a dazzlèn feäir maïd that he loved her so well;</p><a name="page278" id="page278"></a><span class="left">[page 278]</span> +<p>An' woone day when he met her, his knees nearly smote</p> +<p>Woone another, an' then wi' a struggle he bro't</p> +<p>A vew vords to his tongue, wi' some mwore in his droat.</p> +<p class="i4">But she, 'ithout doubt, could soon vind</p> +<p class="i4">Vrom two words that come out, zix behind.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo at langth, when he vound her so smilèn an' kind,</p> +<p>Why he wrote her zome laïns, vor to tell her his mind,</p> +<p>Though 'twer then a hard task vor a man that wer shy,</p> +<p>To be married in church, wi' a crowd stannèn by.</p> +<p>But he twold her woone day, "I have housen an' lands,</p> +<p>We could marry by licence, if you don't like banns,"</p> +<p>An' he cover'd his eyes up wi' woone ov his han's,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor his head seem'd to zwim as he spoke,</p> +<p class="i4">An' the aïr look'd so dim as a smoke.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well! he vound a good naïghbour to goo in his pleäce</p> +<p>Vor to buy the goold ring, vor he hadden the feäce.</p> +<p>An' when he went up vor to put in the banns,</p> +<p>He did sheäke in his lags, an' did sheäke in his han's.</p> +<p>Then they ax'd vor her neäme, an' her parish or town,</p> +<p>An' he gi'ed em a leaf, wi' her neäme a-wrote down;</p> +<p>Vor he coulden ha' twold em outright, vor a poun',</p> +<p class="i4">Vor his tongue wer so weak an' so loose,</p> +<p class="i4">When he wanted to speak 'twer noo use.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo they went to be married, an' when they got there</p> +<p>All the vo'k wer a-gather'd as if 'twer a feäir,</p> +<p>An' he thought, though his pleäce mid be pleazèn to zome,</p> +<p>He could all but ha' wish'd that he hadden a-come.</p> +<p>The bride wer a-smilèn as fresh as a rwose,</p> +<p>An' when he come wi' her, an' show'd his poor nose.</p> +<p>All the little bwoys shouted, an' cried "There he goes,"</p> +<p class="i4">"There he goes." Oh! vor his peärt he velt</p> +<p class="i4">As if the poor heart o'n would melt.</p></div> +<a name="page279" id="page279"></a><span class="left">[page 279]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when they stood up by the chancel together,</p> +<p>Oh! a man mid ha' knock'd en right down wi' a veather,</p> +<p>He did veel zoo asheäm'd that he thought he would rather</p> +<p>He wërden the bridegroom, but only the father.</p> +<p>But, though 'tis so funny to zee en so shy,</p> +<p>Yeet his mind is so lowly, his aïms be so high,</p> +<p>That to do a meän deed, or to tell woone a lie,</p> +<p class="i4">You'd vind that he'd shun mwore by half,</p> +<p class="i4">Than to stan' vor vo'ks fun, or their laugh.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p279" id="p279"></a> + +<h4>THE WINTER'S WILLOW.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There Liddy zot bezide her cow,</p> +<p class="i2">Upon her lowly seat, O;</p> +<p>A hood did overhang her brow,</p> +<p class="i2">Her païl wer at her veet, O;</p> +<p>An' she wer kind, an' she wer feäir,</p> +<p>An' she wer young, an' free o' ceäre;</p> +<p>Vew winters had a-blow'd her heäir,</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide the Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She idden woone a-rear'd in town</p> +<p class="i2">Where many a gaÿer lass, O,</p> +<p>Do trip a-smilèn up an' down,</p> +<p class="i2">So peäle wi' smoke an' gas, O;</p> +<p>But here, in vields o' greäzèn herds,</p> +<p>Her väice ha' mingled sweetest words</p> +<p>Wi' evenèn cheärms o' busy birds,</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide the Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when, at last, wi' beätèn breast,</p> +<p class="i2">I knock'd avore her door, O,</p> +<p>She ax'd me in to teäke the best</p> +<p class="i2">O' pleäces on the vloor, O;</p><a name="page280" id="page280"></a><span class="left">[page 280]</span> +<p>An' smilèn feäir avore my zight,</p> +<p>She blush'd bezide the yollow light</p> +<p>O' bleäzèn brands, while winds o' night</p> +<p class="i2">Do sheäke the Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' if there's readship in her smile,</p> +<p class="i2">She don't begrudge to speäre, O,</p> +<p>To zomebody, a little while,</p> +<p class="i2">The empty woaken chair, O;</p> +<p>An' if I've luck upon my zide,</p> +<p>Why, I do think she'll be my bride</p> +<p>Avore the leaves ha' twice a-died</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above the coach-wheels' rollèn rims</p> +<p class="i2">She never rose to ride, O,</p> +<p>Though she do zet her comely lim's</p> +<p class="i2">Above the mare's white zide, O;</p> +<p>But don't become too proud to stoop</p> +<p>An' scrub her milkèn païl's white hoop,</p> +<p>Or zit a-milkèn where do droop,</p> +<p class="i2">The wet-stemm'd Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I've a cow or two in leäze,</p> +<p class="i2">Along the river-zide, O,</p> +<p>An' païls to zet avore her knees,</p> +<p class="i2">At dawn an' evenèn-tide, O;</p> +<p>An' there she still mid zit, an' look</p> +<p>Athirt upon the woody nook</p> +<p>Where vu'st I zeed her by the brook</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide the Winter's Willow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo, who would heed the treeless down,</p> +<p class="i2">A-beät by all the storms, O,</p> +<p>Or who would heed the busy town,</p> +<p class="i2">Where vo'k do goo in zwarms, O;</p><a name="page281" id="page281"></a><span class="left">[page 281]</span> +<p>If he wer in my house below</p> +<p>The elems, where the vier did glow</p> +<p>In Liddy's feäce, though winds did blow</p> +<p class="i2">Ageän the Winter's Willow.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p281" id="p281"></a> + +<h4>I KNOW WHO.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, aye, vull rathe the zun mus' rise</p> +<p>To meäke us tired o' zunny skies,</p> +<p>A-sheenèn on the whole day drough,</p> +<p>From mornèn's dawn till evenèn's dew.</p> +<p>When trees be brown an' meäds be green,</p> +<p>An' skies be blue, an' streams do sheen,</p> +<p>An' thin-edg'd clouds be snowy white</p> +<p>Above the bluest hills in zight;</p> +<p>But I can let the daylight goo,</p> +<p>When I've a-met wi'—I know who.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In Spring I met her by a bed</p> +<p>O' laurels higher than her head;</p> +<p>The while a rwose hung white between</p> +<p>Her blushes an' the laurel's green;</p> +<p>An' then in Fall, I went along</p> +<p>The row of elems in the drong,</p> +<p>An' heärd her zing bezide the cows,</p> +<p>By yollow leaves o' meäple boughs;</p> +<p>But Fall or Spring is feäir to view</p> +<p>When day do bring me—I know who.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when, wi' wint'r a-comèn roun',</p> +<p>The purple he'th's a-feädèn brown,</p> +<p>An' hangèn vern's a-sheäkèn dead,</p> +<p>Bezide the hill's besheäded head:</p> +<p>An' black-wing'd rooks do glitter bright</p> +<p>Above my head, in peäler light;</p><a name="page282" id="page282"></a><span class="left">[page 282]</span> +<p>Then though the birds do still the glee</p> +<p>That sounded in the zummer tree,</p> +<p>My heart is light the winter drough,</p> +<p>In me'th at night, wi'—I know who.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p282" id="p282"></a> + +<h4>JESSIE LEE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above the timber's bendèn sh'ouds,</p> +<p class="i2">The western wind did softly blow;</p> +<p>An' up avore the knap, the clouds</p> +<p class="i2">Did ride as white as driven snow.</p> +<p>Vrom west to east the clouds did zwim</p> +<p>Wi' wind that plied the elem's lim';</p> +<p>Vrom west to east the stream did glide,</p> +<p>A-sheenèn wide, wi' windèn brim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How feäir, I thought, avore the sky</p> +<p class="i2">The slowly-zwimmèn clouds do look;</p> +<p>How soft the win's a-streamèn by;</p> +<p class="i2">How bright do roll the weävy brook:</p> +<p>When there, a-passèn on my right,</p> +<p>A-waikèn slow, an' treadèn light,</p> +<p>Young Jessie Lee come by, an' there</p> +<p>Took all my ceäre, an' all my zight.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor lovely wer the looks her feäce</p> +<p class="i2">Held up avore the western sky:</p> +<p>An' comely wer the steps her peäce</p> +<p class="i2">Did meäke a-walkèn slowly by:</p> +<p>But I went east, wi' beätèn breast,</p> +<p>Wi' wind, an' cloud, an' brook, vor rest,</p> +<p>Wi' rest a-lost, vor Jessie gone</p> +<p>So lovely on, toward the west.</p></div> +<a name="page283" id="page283"></a><span class="left">[page 283]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Blow on, O winds, athirt the hill;</p> +<p class="i2">Zwim on, O clouds; O waters vall,</p> +<p>Down mæshy rocks, vrom mill to mill;</p> +<p class="i2">I now can overlook ye all.</p> +<p>But roll, O zun, an' bring to me</p> +<p>My day, if such a day there be,</p> +<p>When zome dear path to my abode</p> +<p>Shall be the road o' Jessie Lee.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p283" id="p283"></a> + +<h4>TRUE LOVE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As evenèn aïr, in green-treed Spring,</p> +<p>Do sheäke the new-sprung pa'sley bed,</p> +<p>An' wither'd ash-tree keys do swing</p> +<p>An' vall a-flutt'rèn roun' our head:</p> +<p>There, while the birds do zing their zong</p> +<p>In bushes down the ash-tree drong,</p> +<p>Come Jessie Lee, vor sweet's the pleäce</p> +<p>Your vaïce an' feäce can meäke vor me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Below the buddèn ashes' height</p> +<p>We there can linger in the lew,</p> +<p>While boughs, a-gilded by the light,</p> +<p>Do sheen avore the sky o' blue:</p> +<p>But there by zettèn zun, or moon</p> +<p>A-risèn, time wull vlee too soon</p> +<p>Wi' Jessie Lee, vor sweet's the pleäce</p> +<p>Her vaïce an' feäce can meäke vor me.</p></div> + + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Down where the darksome brook do flow,</p> +<p>Below the bridge's archèd wall,</p> +<p>Wi' alders dark, a-leanèn low,</p> +<p>Above the gloomy watervall;</p> +<p>There I've a-led ye hwome at night,</p> +<p>Wi' noo feäce else 'ithin my zight</p><a name="page284" id="page284"></a><span class="left">[page 284]</span> +<p>But yours so feäir, an' sweet's the pleäce</p> +<p>Your vaïce an' feäce ha' meäde me there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! when other years do come,</p> +<p>An' zettèn zuns, wi' yollow gleäre,</p> +<p>Drough western window-peänes, at hwome,</p> +<p>Do light upon my evenèn chair:</p> +<p>While day do weäne, an' dew do vall,</p> +<p>Be wi' me then, or else in call,</p> +<p>As time do vlee, vor sweet's the pleäce</p> +<p>Your vaïce an' feäce do meäke vor me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! you do smile, a-thinkèn light</p> +<p>O' my true words, but never mind;</p> +<p>Smile on, smile on, but still your flight</p> +<p>Would leäve me little jaÿ behind:</p> +<p>But let me not be zoo a-tried</p> +<p>Wi' you a-lost where I do bide,</p> +<p>O Jessie Lee, in any pleäce</p> +<p>Your vaïce an' feäce ha' blest vor me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'm sure that when a soul's a-brought</p> +<p>To this our life ov aïr an' land,</p> +<p>Woone mwore's a-mark'd in God's good thought,</p> +<p>To help, wi' love, his heart an' hand.</p> +<p>An' oh! if there should be in store</p> +<p>An angel here vor my poor door,</p> +<p>'Tis Jessie Lee, vor sweet's the pleäce</p> +<p>Her vaïce an' feace can meäke vor me.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p284" id="p284"></a> + +<h4>THE BEAN VIELD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer where the zun did warm the lewth,</p> +<p>An' win' did whiver in the sheäde,</p> +<p>The sweet-aïr'd beäns were out in blooth,</p> +<p>Down there 'ithin the elem gleäde;</p><a name="page285" id="page285"></a><span class="left">[page 285]</span> +<p>A yollow-banded bee did come,</p> +<p>An' softly-pitch, wi' hushèn hum,</p> +<p>Upon a beän, an' there did sip,</p> +<p>Upon a swaÿèn blossom's lip:</p> +<p>An' there cried he, "Aye, I can zee,</p> +<p>This blossom's all a-zent vor me."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A-jilted up an' down, astride</p> +<p>Upon a lofty ho'se a-trot,</p> +<p>The meäster then come by wi' pride,</p> +<p>To zee the beäns that he'd a-got;</p> +<p>An' as he zot upon his ho'se,</p> +<p>The ho'se ageän did snort an' toss</p> +<p>His high-ear'd head, an' at the zight</p> +<p>Ov all the blossom, black an' white:</p> +<p>"Ah! ah!" thought he, the seäme's the bee,</p> +<p>"Theäse beäns be all a-zent vor me."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let the worold's riches breed</p> +<p>A strife o' claïms, wi' weak and strong,</p> +<p>Vor now what cause have I to heed</p> +<p>Who's in the right, or in the wrong;</p> +<p>Since there do come drough yonder hatch,</p> +<p>An' bloom below the house's thatch,</p> +<p>The best o' maïdens, an' do own</p> +<p>That she is mine, an' mine alwone:</p> +<p>Zoo I can zee that love do gi'e</p> +<p>The best ov all good gifts to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor whose be all the crops an' land</p> +<p>A-won an' lost, an' bought, an zwold</p> +<p>Or whose, a-roll'd vrom hand to hand,</p> +<p>The highest money that's a-twold?</p> +<p>Vrom man to man a passèn on,</p> +<p>'Tis here to-day, to-morrow gone.</p><a name="page286" id="page286"></a><span class="left">[page 286]</span> +<p>But there's a blessèn high above</p> +<p>It all—a soul o' stedvast love:</p> +<p>Zoo let it vlee, if God do gi'e</p> +<p>Sweet Jessie vor a gift to me.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p286" id="p286"></a> + +<h4>WOLD FRIENDS A-MET.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, vull my heart's blood now do roll,</p> +<p>An' gaÿ do rise my happy soul,</p> +<p>An' well they mid, vor here our veet</p> +<p>Avore woone vier ageän do meet;</p> +<p>Vor you've avoun' my feäce, to greet</p> +<p>Wi' welcome words my startlèn ear.</p> +<p>An' who be you, but John o' Weer,</p> +<p>An' I, but William Wellburn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Here, light a candle up, to shed</p> +<p>Mwore light upon a wold friend's head,</p> +<p>An' show the smile, his feäce woonce mwore</p> +<p>Ha' brought us vrom another shore.</p> +<p>An' I'll heave on a brand avore</p> +<p>The vier back, to meäke good cheer,</p> +<p>O' roarèn fleämes, vor John o' Weer</p> +<p>To chat wi' William Wellburn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, aye, it mid be true that zome,</p> +<p>When they do wander out vrom hwome,</p> +<p>Do leäve their nearest friends behind,</p> +<p>Bwoth out o' zight, an' out o' mind;</p> +<p>But John an' I ha' ties to bind</p> +<p>Our souls together, vur or near,</p> +<p>For, who is he but John o' Weer.</p> +<p>An' I, but William Wellburn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Look, there he is, with twinklèn eyes,</p> +<p>An' elbows down upon his thighs.</p><a name="page287" id="page287"></a><span class="left">[page 287]</span> +<p>A-chucklèn low, wi' merry grin.</p> +<p>Though time ha' roughen'd up his chin,</p> +<p>'Tis still the seäme true soul 'ithin,</p> +<p>As woonce I know'd, when year by year,</p> +<p>Thik very chap, thik John o' Weer,</p> +<p>Did plaÿ wi' William Wellburn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, John, come; don't be dead-alive</p> +<p>Here, reach us out your clust'r o' vive.</p> +<p>Oh! you be happy. Ees, but that</p> +<p>Woon't do till you can laugh an' chat.</p> +<p>Don't blinky, lik' a purrèn cat,</p> +<p>But leäp an' laugh, an' let vo'k hear</p> +<p>What's happen'd, min, that John o' Weer</p> +<p>Ha' met wi' William Wellburn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor zome, wi' selfishness too strong</p> +<p>Vor love, do do each other wrong;</p> +<p>An' zome do wrangle an' divide</p> +<p>In hets ov anger, bred o' pride;</p> +<p>But who do think that time or tide</p> +<p>Can breed ill-will in friends so dear,</p> +<p>As William wer to John o' Weer,</p> +<p>An' John to William Wellburn?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If other vo'ks do gleen to zee</p> +<p>How lovèn an' how glad we be,</p> +<p>What, then, poor souls, they had but vew</p> +<p>Sich happy days, so long agoo,</p> +<p>As they that I've a-spent wi' you;</p> +<p>But they'd hold woone another dear,</p> +<p>If woone o' them wer John o' Weer,</p> +<p>An' tother William Wellburn.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page288" id="page288"></a><span class="left">[page 288]</span> + +<h4>FIFEHEAD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer where my fondest thoughts do light,</p> +<p>At Fifehead, while we spent the night;</p> +<p>The millwheel's restèn rim wer dry,</p> +<p>An' houn's held up their evenèn cry;</p> +<p>An' lofty, drough the midnight sky,</p> +<p>Above the vo'k, wi' heavy heads,</p> +<p>Asleep upon their darksome beds,</p> +<p>The stars wer all awake, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Noo birds o' day wer out to spread</p> +<p>Their wings above the gully's bed,</p> +<p>An' darkness roun' the elem-tree</p> +<p>'D a-still'd the charmy childern's glee.</p> +<p>All he'ths wer cwold but woone, where we</p> +<p>Wer gaÿ, 'tis true, but gaÿ an' wise,</p> +<p>An' laugh'd in light o' maïden's eyes,</p> +<p>That glissen'd wide awake, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when we all, lik' loosen'd hounds,</p> +<p>Broke out o' doors, wi' merry sounds,</p> +<p>Our friends among the plaÿsome team,</p> +<p>All brought us gwäin so vur's the stream.</p> +<p>But Jeäne, that there, below a gleam</p> +<p>O' light, watch'd woone o's out o' zight;</p> +<p>Vor willènly, vor his "Good night,"</p> +<p>She'd longer bide awake, John.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while up <i>Leighs</i> we stepp'd along</p> +<p>Our grassy path, wi' joke an' zong,</p> +<p>There <i>Plumber</i>, wi' its woody ground,</p> +<p>O' slopèn knaps a-screen'd around,</p> +<p>Rose dim 'ithout a breath o' sound,</p> +<p>The wold abode o' squiers a-gone,</p> +<p>Though while they lay a-sleepèn on,</p> +<p>Their stars wer still awake, John.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page289" id="page289"></a><span class="left">[page 289]</span> + +<h4>IVY HALL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If I've a-stream'd below a storm,</p> +<p class="i2">An' not a-velt the raïn,</p> +<p>An' if I ever velt me warm,</p> +<p class="i2">In snow upon the plaïn,</p> +<p>'Twer when, as evenèn skies wer dim,</p> +<p>An' vields below my eyes wer dim,</p> +<p>I went alwone at evenèn-fall,</p> +<p>Athirt the vields to Ivy Hall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I voun' the wind upon the hill,</p> +<p class="i2">Last night, a-roarèn loud,</p> +<p>An' rubbèn boughs a-creakèn sh'ill</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the ashes' sh'oud;</p> +<p>But oh! the reelèn copse mid groan;</p> +<p>An' timber's lofty tops mid groan;</p> +<p>The hufflèn winds be music all,</p> +<p>Bezide my road to Ivy Hall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A sheädy grove o' ribbèd woaks,</p> +<p class="i2">Is Wootton's shelter'd nest,</p> +<p>An' woaks do keep the winter's strokes</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom Knapton's evenèn rest.</p> +<p>An' woaks ageän wi' bossy stems,</p> +<p>An' elems wi' their mossy stems,</p> +<p>Do rise to screen the leafy wall</p> +<p>An' stwonèn ruf ov Ivy Hall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The darksome clouds mid fling their sleet.</p> +<p class="i2">An' vrost mid pinch me blue,</p> +<p>Or snow mid cling below my veet,</p> +<p class="i2">An' hide my road vrom view.</p> +<p>The winter's only jaÿ ov heart,</p> +<p>An' storms do meäke me gaÿ ov heart,</p><a name="page290" id="page290"></a><span class="left">[page 290]</span> +<p>When I do rest, at evenèn-fall,</p> +<p>Bezide the he'th ov Ivy Hall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There leafy stems do clim' around</p> +<p class="i2">The mossy stwonèn eaves;</p> +<p>An' there be window-zides a-bound</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' quiv'rèn ivy-leaves.</p> +<p>But though the sky is dim 'ithout,</p> +<p>An' feäces mid be grim 'ithout,</p> +<p>Still I ha' smiles when I do call,</p> +<p>At evenèn-tide, at Ivy Hall.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p290-1" id="p290-1"></a> + +<h4>FALSE FRIENDS-LIKE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When I wer still a bwoy, an' mother's pride,</p> +<p>A bigger bwoy spoke up to me so kind-like,</p> +<p>"If you do like, I'll treat ye wi' a ride</p> +<p>In theäse wheel-barrow here." Zoo I wer blind-like</p> +<p>To what he had a-workèn in his mind-like,</p> +<p>An' mounted vor a passenger inside;</p> +<p>An' comèn to a puddle, perty wide,</p> +<p>He tipp'd me in, a-grinnèn back behind-like.</p> +<p>Zoo when a man do come to me so thick-like,</p> +<p>An' sheäke my hand, where woonce he pass'd me by,</p> +<p>An' tell me he would do me this or that,</p> +<p>I can't help thinkèn o' the big bwoy's trick-like.</p> +<p>An' then, vor all I can but wag my hat</p> +<p>An' thank en, I do veel a little shy.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p290-2" id="p290-2"></a> + +<h4>THE BACHELOR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No! I don't begrudge en his life,</p> +<p class="i2">Nor his goold, nor his housen, nor lands;</p> +<p>Teäke all o't, an' gi'e me my wife,</p> +<p class="i2">A wife's be the cheapest ov hands.</p><a name="page291" id="page291"></a><span class="left">[page 291]</span> +<p class="i4">Lie alwone! sigh alwone! die alwone!</p> +<p class="i10">Then be vorgot.</p> +<p class="i4">No! I be content wi' my lot.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! where be the vingers so feäir,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to pat en so soft on the feäce,</p> +<p>To mend ev'ry stitch that do tear,</p> +<p class="i2">An' keep ev'ry button in pleäce?</p> +<p class="i4">Crack a-tore! brack a-tore! back a-tore!</p> +<p class="i10">Buttons a-vled!</p> +<p class="i4">Vor want ov a wife wi' her thread.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! where is the sweet-perty head</p> +<p class="i2">That do nod till he's gone out o' zight?</p> +<p>An' where be the two eärms a-spread,</p> +<p class="i2">To show en he's welcome at night?</p> +<p class="i4">Dine alwone! pine alwone! whine alwone!</p> +<p class="i10">Oh! what a life!</p> +<p class="i4">I'll have a friend in a wife.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when vrom a meetèn o' me'th</p> +<p class="i2">Each husban' do leäd hwome his bride,</p> +<p>Then he do slink hwome to his he'th,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' his eärm a-hung down his cwold zide.</p> +<p class="i4">Slinkèn on! blinkèn on! thinkèn on!</p> +<p class="i10">Gloomy an' glum;</p> +<p class="i4">Nothèn but dullness to come.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when he do onlock his door,</p> +<p class="i2">Do rumble as hollow's a drum,</p> +<p>An' the veäries a-hid roun' the vloor,</p> +<p class="i2">Do grin vor to see en so glum.</p> +<p class="i4">Keep alwone! sleep alwone! weep alwone!</p> +<p class="i10">There let en bide,</p> +<p class="i4">I'll have a wife at my zide.</p></div> +<a name="page292" id="page292"></a><span class="left">[page 292]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when he's a-laid on his bed</p> +<p class="i2">In a zickness, O, what wull he do!</p> +<p>Vor the hands that would lift up his head,</p> +<p class="i2">An' sheäke up his pillor anew.</p> +<p class="i4">Ills to come! pills to come! bills to come!</p> +<p class="i10">Noo soul to sheäre</p> +<p class="i4">The trials the poor wratch must bear.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p292" id="p292"></a> + +<h4>MARRIED PEÄIR'S LOVE WALK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come let's goo down the grove to-night;</p> +<p>The moon is up, 'tis all so light</p> +<p>As day, an' win' do blow enough</p> +<p>To sheäke the leaves, but tiddèn rough.</p> +<p>Come, Esther, teäke, vor wold time's seäke,</p> +<p>Your hooded cloke, that's on the pin,</p> +<p>An' wrap up warm, an' teäke my eärm,</p> +<p>You'll vind it better out than in.</p> +<p>Come, Etty dear; come out o' door,</p> +<p>An' teäke a sweetheart's walk woonce mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How charmèn to our very souls,</p> +<p>Wer woonce your evenèn maïden strolls,</p> +<p>The while the zettèn zunlight dyed</p> +<p>Wi' red the beeches' western zide,</p> +<p>But back avore your vinger wore</p> +<p>The weddèn ring that's now so thin;</p> +<p>An' you did sheäre a mother's ceäre,</p> +<p>To watch an' call ye eärly in.</p> +<p>Come, Etty dear; come out o' door,</p> +<p>An' teäke a sweetheart's walk woonce mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then ageän, when you could slight</p> +<p>The clock a-strikèn leäte at night,</p> +<p>The while the moon, wi' risèn rim,</p> +<p>Did light the beeches' eastern lim'.</p><a name="page293" id="page293"></a><span class="left">[page 293]</span> +<p>When I'd a-bound your vinger round</p> +<p>Wi' thik goold ring that's now so thin,</p> +<p>An' you had nwone but me alwone</p> +<p>To teäke ye leäte or eärly in.</p> +<p>Come, Etty dear; come out o' door,</p> +<p>An' teäke a sweetheart's walk woonce mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But often when the western zide</p> +<p>O' trees did glow at evenèn-tide,</p> +<p>Or when the leäter moon did light</p> +<p>The beeches' eastern boughs at night,</p> +<p>An' in the grove, where vo'k did rove</p> +<p>The crumpled leaves did vlee an' spin,</p> +<p>You couldèn sheäre the pleasure there:</p> +<p>Your work or childern kept ye in.</p> +<p>Come, Etty dear, come out o' door,</p> +<p>An' teäke a sweetheart's walk woonce mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But ceäres that zunk your oval chin</p> +<p>Ageän your bosom's lily skin,</p> +<p>Vor all they meäde our life so black,</p> +<p>Be now a-lost behind our back.</p> +<p>Zoo never mwope, in midst of hope,</p> +<p>To slight our blessèns would be sin.</p> +<p>Ha! ha! well done, now this is fun;</p> +<p>When you do like I'll bring ye in.</p> +<p>Here, Etty dear; here, out o' door,</p> +<p>We'll teäke a sweetheart's walk woonce mwore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p293" id="p293"></a> + +<h4>A WIFE A-PRAÏS'D.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer Maÿ, but ev'ry leaf wer dry</p> +<p>All day below a sheenèn sky;</p> +<p>The zun did glow wi' yollow gleäre,</p> +<p>An' cowslips blow wi' yollow gleäre,</p><a name="page294" id="page294"></a><span class="left">[page 294]</span> +<p>Wi' grægles' bells a-droopèn low,</p> +<p>An' bremble boughs a-stoopèn low;</p> +<p>While culvers in the trees did coo</p> +<p class="i2">Above the vallèn dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, wi' heäir o' glossy black,</p> +<p>Bezide your neck an' down your back,</p> +<p>You rambled gaÿ a-bloomfen feäir;</p> +<p>By boughs o' maÿ a-bloomèn feäir;</p> +<p>An' while the birds did twitter nigh,</p> +<p>An' water weäves did glitter nigh,</p> +<p>You gather'd cowslips in the lew,</p> +<p class="i2">Below the vallèn dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' now, while you've a-been my bride</p> +<p>As years o' flow'rs ha' bloom'd an' died,</p> +<p>Your smilèn feäce ha' been my jaÿ;</p> +<p>Your soul o' greäce ha' been my jaÿ;</p> +<p>An' wi' my evenèn rest a-come,</p> +<p>An' zunsheen to the west a-come,</p> +<p>I'm glad to teäke my road to you</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom vields o' vallèn dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the raïn do wet the maÿ,</p> +<p>A-bloomèn where we woonce did straÿ,</p> +<p>An' win' do blow along so vast,</p> +<p>An' streams do flow along so vast;</p> +<p>Ageän the storms so rough abroad,</p> +<p>An' angry tongues so gruff abroad,</p> +<p>The love that I do meet vrom you</p> +<p class="i2">Is lik' the vallèn dew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' you be sprack's a bee on wing,</p> +<p>In search ov honey in the Spring:</p> +<p>The dawn-red sky do meet ye up;</p> +<p>The birds vu'st cry do meet ye up;</p><a name="page295" id="page295"></a><span class="left">[page 295]</span> +<p>An' wi' your feäce a-smilèn on,</p> +<p>An' busy hands a-tweilèn on,</p> +<p>You'll vind zome useful work to do</p> +<p class="i2">Until the vallèn dew.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p295" id="p295"></a> + +<h4>THE WIFE A-LOST.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Since I noo mwore do zee your feäce,</p> +<p class="i2">Up steäirs or down below,</p> +<p>I'll zit me in the lwonesome pleäce,</p> +<p class="i2">Where flat-bough'd beech do grow:</p> +<p>Below the beeches' bough, my love,</p> +<p class="i2">Where you did never come,</p> +<p>An' I don't look to meet ye now,</p> +<p class="i2">As I do look at hwome.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Since you noo mwore be at my zide,</p> +<p class="i2">In walks in zummer het,</p> +<p>I'll goo alwone where mist do ride,</p> +<p class="i2">Drough trees a-drippèn wet:</p> +<p>Below the raïn-wet bough, my love,</p> +<p class="i2">Where you did never come,</p> +<p>An' I don't grieve to miss ye now,</p> +<p class="i2">As I do grieve at home.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Since now bezide my dinner-bwoard</p> +<p class="i2">Your vaïce do never sound,</p> +<p>I'll eat the bit I can avword,</p> +<p class="i2">A-vield upon the ground;</p> +<p>Below the darksome bough, my love,</p> +<p class="i2">Where you did never dine,</p> +<p>An' I don't grieve to miss ye now,</p> +<p class="i2">As I at hwome do pine.</p></div> +<a name="page296" id="page296"></a><span class="left">[page 296]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Since I do miss your vaïce an' feäce</p> +<p class="i2">In praÿer at eventide,</p> +<p>I'll praÿ wi' woone said vaïce vor greäce</p> +<p class="i2">To goo where you do bide;</p> +<p>Above the tree an' bough, my love,</p> +<p class="i2">Where you be gone avore,</p> +<p>An' be a-waïtèn vor me now,</p> +<p class="i2">To come vor evermwore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p296" id="p296"></a> + +<h4>THE THORNS IN THE GEÄTE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! Meäster Collins overtook</p> +<p>Our knot o' vo'k a-stannèn still,</p> +<p>Last Zunday, up on Ivy Hill,</p> +<p>To zee how strong the corn did look.</p> +<p>An' he stay'd back awhile an' spoke</p> +<p>A vew kind words to all the vo'k,</p> +<p>Vor good or joke, an' wi' a smile</p> +<p>Begun a-plaÿèn wi' a chile.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The zull, wi' iron zide awry,</p> +<p>Had long a-vurrow'd up the vield;</p> +<p>The heavy roller had a-wheel'd</p> +<p>It smooth vor showers vrom the sky;</p> +<p>The bird-bwoy's cry, a-risèn sh'ill,</p> +<p>An' clacker, had a-left the hill,</p> +<p>All bright but still, vor time alwone</p> +<p>To speed the work that we'd a-done.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Down drough the wind, a-blowèn keen,</p> +<p>Did gleäre the nearly cloudless sky,</p> +<p>An' corn in bleäde, up ancle-high,</p> +<p>'lthin the geäte did quiver green;</p> +<p>An' in the geäte a-lock'd there stood</p> +<p>A prickly row o' thornèn wood</p><a name="page297" id="page297"></a><span class="left">[page 297]</span> +<p>Vor vo'k vor food had done their best,</p> +<p>An' left to Spring to do the rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"The geäte," he cried, "a-seal'd wi' thorn</p> +<p>Vrom harmvul veet's a-left to hold</p> +<p>The bleäde a-springèn vrom the mwold,</p> +<p>While God do ripen it to corn.</p> +<p>An' zoo in life let us vulvil</p> +<p>Whatever is our Meäker's will,</p> +<p>An' then bide still, wi' peacevul breast,</p> +<p>While He do manage all the rest.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p297" id="p297"></a> + +<h4>ANGELS BY THE DOOR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! there be angels evermwore,</p> +<p>A-passèn onward by the door,</p> +<p>A-zent to teäke our jaÿs, or come</p> +<p>To bring us zome—O Meärianne.</p> +<p>Though doors be shut, an' bars be stout,</p> +<p>Noo bolted door can keep em out;</p> +<p>But they wull leäve us ev'ry thing</p> +<p>They have to bring—My Meärianne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo the days a-stealèn by,</p> +<p>Wi' zuns a-ridèn drough the sky,</p> +<p>Do bring us things to leäve us sad,</p> +<p>Or meäke us glad—O Meärianne.</p> +<p>The day that's mild, the day that's stern,</p> +<p>Do teäke, in stillness, each his turn;</p> +<p>An' evils at their worst mid mend,</p> +<p>Or even end—My Meärianne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still, if we can only bear</p> +<p>Wi' faïth an' love, our païn an' ceäre,</p> +<p>We shan't vind missèn jaÿs a-lost,</p> +<p>Though we be crost—O Meärianne.</p><a name="page298" id="page298"></a><span class="left">[page 298]</span> +<p>But all a-took to heav'n, an' stow'd</p> +<p>Where we can't weäste em on the road,</p> +<p>As we do wander to an' fro,</p> +<p>Down here below—My Meärianne.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But there be jaÿs I'd soonest choose</p> +<p>To keep, vrom them that I must lose;</p> +<p>Your workzome hands to help my tweil,</p> +<p>Your cheerful smile—O Meärianne.</p> +<p>The Zunday bells o' yonder tow'r,</p> +<p>The moonlight sheädes o' my own bow'r,</p> +<p>An' rest avore our vier-zide,</p> +<p>At evenèn-tide—My Meärianne.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p298" id="p298"></a> + +<h4>VO'K A-COMÈN INTO CHURCH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The church do zeem a touchèn zight,</p> +<p class="i2">When vo'k, a-comèn in at door,</p> +<p class="i2">Do softly tread the long-aïl'd vloor</p> +<p>Below the pillar'd arches' height,</p> +<p class="i4">Wi' bells a-pealèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Vo'k a-kneelèn,</p> +<p>Hearts a-healèn, wi' the love</p> +<p>An' peäce a-zent em vrom above.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, wi' mild an' thoughtvul feäce,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' downcast eyes, an' vaïces dum',</p> +<p class="i2">The wold an' young do slowly come,</p> +<p>An' teäke in stillness each his pleäce,</p> +<p class="i4">A-zinkèn slowly,</p> +<p class="i4">Kneelèn lowly,</p> +<p>Seekèn holy thoughts alwone,</p> +<p>In praÿ'r avore their Meäker's throne.</p></div> +<a name="page299" id="page299"></a><span class="left">[page 299]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there be sons in youthvul pride,</p> +<p class="i2">An' fathers weak wi' years an' païn,</p> +<p class="i2">An' daughters in their mother's traïn.</p> +<p>The tall wi' smaller at their zide;</p> +<p class="i4">Heads in murnèn</p> +<p class="i4">Never turnèn,</p> +<p>Cheäks a-burnèn, wi' the het</p> +<p>O' youth, an' eyes noo tears do wet.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There friends do settle, zide by zide,</p> +<p class="i2">The knower speechless to the known;</p> +<p class="i2">Their vaïce is there vor God alwone</p> +<p>To flesh an' blood their tongues be tied.</p> +<p class="i4">Grief a-wringèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Jaÿ a-zingèn,</p> +<p>Pray'r a-bringèn welcome rest</p> +<p>So softly to the troubled breast.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p299" id="p299"></a> + +<h4>WOONE RULE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while I zot, wi' thoughtvul mind,</p> +<p>Up where the lwonesome Coombs do wind,</p> +<p>An' watch'd the little gully slide</p> +<p>So crookèd to the river-zide;</p> +<p>I thought how wrong the Stour did zeem</p> +<p>To roll along his ramblèn stream,</p> +<p>A-runnèn wide the left o' south,</p> +<p>To vind his mouth, the right-hand zide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But though his stream do teäke, at mill.</p> +<p>An' eastward bend by Newton Hill,</p> +<p>An' goo to lay his welcome boon</p> +<p>O' daïly water round Hammoon,</p><a name="page300" id="page300"></a><span class="left">[page 300]</span> +<p>An' then wind off ageän, to run</p> +<p>By Blanvord, to the noonday zun,</p> +<p>'Tis only bound by woone rule all,</p> +<p>An' that's to vall down steepest ground.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, I thought, as we do bend</p> +<p>Our waÿ drough life, to reach our end,</p> +<p>Our God ha' gi'ed us, vrom our youth,</p> +<p>Woone rule to be our guide—His truth.</p> +<p>An' zoo wi' that, though we mid teäke</p> +<p>Wide rambles vor our callèns' seäke,</p> +<p>What is, is best, we needen fear,</p> +<p>An' we shall steer to happy rest.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p300" id="p300"></a> + +<h4>GOOD MEÄSTER COLLINS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, Meäster Collins wer a-blest</p> +<p>Wi' greäce, an' now's a-gone to rest;</p> +<p>An' though his heart did beät so meek</p> +<p>'S a little child's, when he did speak,</p> +<p>The godly wisdom ov his tongue</p> +<p>Wer dew o' greäce to wold an' young.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer woonce, upon a zummer's tide,</p> +<p>I zot at Brookwell by his zide,</p> +<p>Avore the leäke, upon the rocks,</p> +<p>Above the water's idle shocks,</p> +<p>As little plaÿsome weäves did zwim</p> +<p>Ageän the water's windy brim,</p> +<p>Out where the lofty tower o' stwone</p> +<p>Did stan' to years o' wind an' zun;</p> +<p>An' where the zwellèn pillars bore</p> +<p>A pworch above the heavy door,</p> +<p>Wi' sister sheädes a-reachèn cool</p> +<p>Athirt the stwones an' sparklèn pool.</p></div> +<a name="page301" id="page301"></a><span class="left">[page 301]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I spoke zome word that meäde en smile,</p> +<p>O' girt vo'k's wealth an' poor vo'k's tweil,</p> +<p>As if I pin'd, vor want ov greäce,</p> +<p>To have a lord's or squier's pleäce.</p> +<p>"No, no," he zaid, "what God do zend</p> +<p>Is best vor all o's in the end,</p> +<p>An' all that we do need the mwost</p> +<p>Do come to us wi' leäst o' cost;—</p> +<p>Why, who could live upon the e'th</p> +<p>'Ithout God's gïft ov aïr vor breath?</p> +<p>Or who could bide below the zun</p> +<p>If water didden rise an' run?</p> +<p>An' who could work below the skies</p> +<p>If zun an' moon did never rise?</p> +<p>Zoo aïr an' water, an' the light,</p> +<p>Be higher gifts, a-reckon'd right,</p> +<p>Than all the goold the darksome claÿ</p> +<p>Can ever yield to zunny daÿ:</p> +<p>But then the aïr is roun' our heads,</p> +<p>Abroad by day, or on our beds;</p> +<p>Where land do gi'e us room to bide,</p> +<p>Or seas do spread vor ships to ride;</p> +<p>An' He do zend his waters free,</p> +<p>Vrom clouds to lands, vrom lands to sea:</p> +<p>An' mornèn light do blush an' glow,</p> +<p>'Ithout our tweil—'ithout our ho.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Zoo let us never pine, in sin,</p> +<p>Vor gifts that ben't the best to win;</p> +<p>The heaps o' goold that zome mid pile,</p> +<p>Wi' sleepless nights an' peaceless tweil;</p> +<p>Or manor that mid reach so wide</p> +<p>As Blackmwore is vrom zide to zide,</p> +<p>Or kingly swaÿ, wi' life or death,</p> +<p>Vor helpless childern ov the e'th:</p><a name="page302" id="page302"></a><span class="left">[page 302]</span> +<p>Vor theäse ben't gifts, as He do know,</p> +<p>That He in love should vu'st bestow;</p> +<p>Or else we should have had our sheäre</p> +<p>O'm all wi' little tweil or ceäre.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Ov all His choicest gifts, His cry</p> +<p>Is, 'Come, ye moneyless, and buy.'</p> +<p>Zoo blest is he that can but lift</p> +<p>His prayer vor a happy gift."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p302" id="p302"></a> + +<h4>HERRENSTON.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo then the leädy an' the squier,</p> +<p class="i2">At Chris'mas, gather'd girt an' small,</p> +<p>Vor me'th, avore their roarèn vier,</p> +<p class="i2">An! roun' their bwoard, 'ithin the hall;</p> +<p>An' there, in glitt'rèn rows, between</p> +<p>The roun'-rimm'd pleätes, our knives did sheen,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' frothy eäle, an' cup an' can,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor maïd an' man, at Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the jeints o' beef did stand,</p> +<p class="i2">Lik' cliffs o' rock, in goodly row;</p> +<p>Where woone mid quarry till his hand</p> +<p class="i2">Did tire, an' meäke but little show;</p> +<p>An' after we'd a-took our seat,</p> +<p>An' greäce had been a-zaid vor meat,</p> +<p class="i2">We zet to work, an' zoo begun</p> +<p class="i2">Our feäst an' fun at Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' mothers there, bezide the bwoards,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' little childern in their laps,</p> +<p>Did stoop, wi' lovèn looks an' words,</p> +<p class="i2">An' veed em up wi' bits an' draps;</p><a name="page303" id="page303"></a><span class="left">[page 303]</span> +<p>An' smilèn husbands went in quest</p> +<p>O' what their wives did like the best;</p> +<p class="i2">An' you'd ha' zeed a happy zight,</p> +<p class="i2">Thik merry night, at Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the band, wi' each his leaf</p> +<p class="i2">O' notes, above us at the zide,</p> +<p>Play'd up the praïse ov England's beef</p> +<p class="i2">An' vill'd our hearts wi' English pride;</p> +<p>An' leafy chaïns o' garlands hung,</p> +<p>Wi' dazzlèn stripes o' flags, that swung</p> +<p class="i2">Above us, in a bleäze o' light,</p> +<p class="i2">Thik happy night, at Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the clerk, avore the vier,</p> +<p class="i2">Begun to lead, wi' smilèn feäce,</p> +<p>A carol, wi' the Monkton quire,</p> +<p class="i2">That rung drough all the crowded pleäce.</p> +<p>An' dins' o' words an' laughter broke</p> +<p>In merry peals drough clouds o' smoke;</p> +<p class="i2">Vor hardly wer there woone that spoke,</p> +<p class="i2">But pass'd a joke, at Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then man an' maïd stood up by twos,</p> +<p class="i2">In rows, drough passage, out to door,</p> +<p>An' gaïly beät, wi' nimble shoes,</p> +<p class="i2">A dance upon the stwonèn floor.</p> +<p>But who is worthy vor to tell,</p> +<p>If she that then did bear the bell,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer woone o' Monkton, or o' Ceäme,</p> +<p class="i2">Or zome sweet neäme ov Herrenston.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo peace betide the girt vo'k's land,</p> +<p class="i2">When they can stoop, wi' kindly smile,</p> +<p>An' teäke a poor man by the hand,</p> +<p class="i2">An' cheer en in his daily tweil.</p><a name="page304" id="page304"></a><span class="left">[page 304]</span> +<p>An' oh! mid He that's vur above</p> +<p>The highest here, reward their love,</p> +<p class="i2">An' gi'e their happy souls, drough greäce,</p> +<p class="i2">A higher pleäce than Herrenston.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p304" id="p304"></a> + +<h4>OUT AT PLOUGH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though cool avore the sheenèn sky</p> +<p>Do vall the sheädes below the copse,</p> +<p>The timber-trees, a-reachèn high,</p> +<p>Ha' zunsheen on their lofty tops,</p> +<p>Where yonder land's a-lyèn plow'd,</p> +<p>An' red, below the snow-white cloud,</p> +<p>An' vlocks o' pitchèn rooks do vwold</p> +<p>Their wings to walk upon the mwold.</p> +<p class="i4">While floods be low,</p> +<p class="i4">An' buds do grow,</p> +<p class="i8">An' aïr do blow, a-broad, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But though the aïr is cwold below</p> +<p>The creakèn copses' darksome screen,</p> +<p>The truest sheäde do only show</p> +<p>How strong the warmer zun do sheen;</p> +<p>An' even times o' grief an' païn,</p> +<p>Ha' good a-comèn in their traïn,</p> +<p>An' 'tis but happiness do mark</p> +<p>The sheädes o' sorrow out so dark.</p> +<p class="i4">As tweils be sad,</p> +<p class="i4">Or smiles be glad,</p> +<p class="i8">Or times be bad, at hwome, O</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the zunny land do lie</p> +<p>Below the hangèn, in the lew,</p> +<p>Wi' vurrows now a-crumblèn dry,</p> +<p>Below the plowman's dousty shoe;</p><a name="page305" id="page305"></a><span class="left">[page 305]</span> +<p>An' there the bwoy do whissel sh'ill,</p> +<p>Below the skylark's merry bill,</p> +<p>Where primrwose beds do deck the zides</p> +<p>O' banks below the meäple wrides.</p> +<p class="i4">As trees be bright</p> +<p class="i4">Wi' bees in flight,</p> +<p class="i8">An' weather's bright, abroad, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, as sheenèn wheels do spin</p> +<p>Vull speed along the dousty rwoad,</p> +<p>He can but stan', an' wish 'ithin</p> +<p>His mind to be their happy lwoad,</p> +<p>That he mid gaïly ride, an' goo</p> +<p>To towns the rwoad mid teäke en drough,</p> +<p>An' zee, for woonce, the zights behind</p> +<p>The bluest hills his eyes can vind,</p> +<p class="i4">O' towns, an' tow'rs,</p> +<p class="i4">An' downs, an' flow'rs,</p> +<p class="i8">In zunny hours, abroad, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still, vor all the weather's feäir,</p> +<p>Below a cloudless sky o' blue,</p> +<p>The bwoy at plough do little ceäre</p> +<p>How vast the brightest day mid goo;</p> +<p>Vor he'd be glad to zee the zun</p> +<p>A-zettèn, wi' his work a-done,</p> +<p>That he, at hwome, mid still injaÿ</p> +<p>His happy bit ov evenèn plaÿ,</p> +<p class="i4">So light's a lark</p> +<p class="i4">Till night is dark,</p> +<p class="i8">While dogs do bark, at hwome, O.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page306" id="page306"></a><span class="left">[page 306]</span> + +<h4>THE BWOAT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where cows did slowly seek the brink</p> +<p>O' <i>Stour</i>, drough zunburnt grass, to drink;</p> +<p>Wi' vishèn float, that there did zink</p> +<p class="i2">An' rise, I zot as in a dream.</p> +<p>The dazzlèn zun did cast his light</p> +<p>On hedge-row blossom, snowy white,</p> +<p>Though nothèn yet did come in zight,</p> +<p class="i2">A-stirrèn on the straÿèn stream;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Till, out by sheädy rocks there show'd,</p> +<p>A bwoat along his foamy road,</p> +<p>Wi' thik feäir maïd at mill, a-row'd</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' Jeäne behind her brother's oars.</p> +<p>An' steätely as a queen o' vo'k,</p> +<p>She zot wi' floatèn scarlet cloak,</p> +<p>An' comèn on, at ev'ry stroke,</p> +<p class="i2">Between my withy-sheäded shores.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The broken stream did idly try</p> +<p>To show her sheäpe a-ridèn by,</p> +<p>The rushes brown-bloom'd stems did ply,</p> +<p class="i2">As if they bow'd to her by will.</p> +<p>The rings o' water, wi' a sock,</p> +<p>Did break upon the mossy rock,</p> +<p>An' gi'e my beätèn heart a shock,</p> +<p class="i2">Above my float's up-leapèn quill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then, lik' a cloud below the skies,</p> +<p>A-drifted off, wi' less'nèn size,</p> +<p>An' lost, she floated vrom my eyes,</p> +<p class="i2">Where down below the stream did wind;</p> +<p>An' left the quiet weäves woonce mwore</p> +<p>To zink to rest, a sky-blue'd vloor,</p> +<p>Wi' all so still's the clote they bore,</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, all but my own ruffled mind.</p></div> +</div><br /><br /> +<a name="page307" id="page307"></a><span class="left">[page 307]</span> + +<h4>THE PLEÄCE OUR OWN AGEÄN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well! thanks to you, my faïthful Jeäne,</p> +<p>So worksome wi' your head an' hand,</p> +<p>We seäved enough to get ageän</p> +<p>My poor vorefather's plot o' land.</p> +<p>'Twer folly lost, an' cunnèn got,</p> +<p>What should ha' come to me by lot.</p> +<p>But let that goo; 'tis well the land</p> +<p>Is come to hand, by be'th or not.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the brook, a-windèn round</p> +<p>The parrick zide, do run below</p> +<p>The grey-stwon'd bridge wi' gurglèn sound,</p> +<p>A-sheäded by the arches' bow;</p> +<p>Where former days the wold brown meäre,</p> +<p>Wi' father on her back, did wear</p> +<p>Wi' heavy shoes the grav'ly leäne,</p> +<p>An' sheäke her meäne o' yollor heäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' many zummers there ha' glow'd,</p> +<p>To shrink the brook in bubblèn shoals,</p> +<p>An' warm the doust upon the road,</p> +<p>Below the trav'ller's burnèn zoles.</p> +<p>An' zome ha' zent us to our bed</p> +<p>In grief, an' zome in jaÿ ha' vled;</p> +<p>But vew ha' come wi' happier light</p> +<p>Than what's now bright, above our head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The brook did peärt, zome years agoo,</p> +<p>Our Grenley meäds vrom Knapton's Ridge</p> +<p>But now you know, between the two,</p> +<p>A-road's a-meäde by Grenley Bridge.</p> +<p>Zoo why should we shrink back at zight</p> +<p>Ov hindrances we ought to slight?</p> +<p>A hearty will, wi' God our friend,</p> +<p>Will gaïn its end, if 'tis but right.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page308" id="page308"></a><span class="left">[page 308]</span> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John an' Thomas.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How b'ye, then, John, to-night; an' how</p> +<p>Be times a-waggèn on w' ye now?</p> +<p>I can't help slackenèn my peäce</p> +<p>When I do come along your pleäce,</p> +<p>To zee what crops your bit o' groun'</p> +<p>Do bear ye all the zummer roun'.</p> +<p>'Tis true you don't get fruit nor blooth,</p> +<p>'Ithin the glassèn houses' lewth;</p> +<p>But if a man can rear a crop</p> +<p>Where win' do blow an' raïn can drop,</p> +<p>Do seem to come, below your hand,</p> +<p>As fine as any in the land.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, there, the geärden stuff an' flow'rs</p> +<p>Don't leäve me many idle hours;</p> +<p>But still, though I mid plant or zow,</p> +<p>'Tis Woone above do meäke it grow.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, aye, that's true, but still your strip</p> +<p>O' groun' do show good workmanship:</p> +<p>You've onions there nine inches round,</p> +<p>An' turmits that would waïgh a pound;</p> +<p>An' cabbage wi' its hard white head,</p> +<p>An' teäties in their dousty bed,</p> +<p>An' carrots big an' straïght enough</p> +<p>Vor any show o' geärden stuff;</p> +<p>An' trees ov apples, red-skinn'd balls</p> +<p>An' purple plums upon the walls,</p><a name="page309" id="page309"></a><span class="left">[page 309]</span> +<p>An' peas an' beäns; bezides a store</p> +<p>O' heärbs vor ev'ry païn an' zore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' over hedge the win's a-heärd,</p> +<p>A ruslèn drough my barley's beard;</p> +<p>An' swaÿen wheat do overspread</p> +<p>Zix ridges in a sheet o' red;</p> +<p>An' then there's woone thing I do call</p> +<p>The girtest handiness ov all:</p> +<p>My ground is here at hand, avore</p> +<p>My eyes, as I do stand at door;</p> +<p>An' zoo I've never any need</p> +<p>To goo a mile to pull a weed.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, sure, a miël shoulden stratch</p> +<p>Between woone's geärden an' woone's hatch.</p> +<p>A man would like his house to stand</p> +<p>Bezide his little bit o' land.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees. When woone's groun' vor geärden stuff</p> +<p>Is roun' below the house's ruf,</p> +<p>Then woone can spend upon woone's land</p> +<p>Odd minutes that mid lie on hand,</p> +<p>The while, wi' night a-comèn on,</p> +<p>The red west sky's a-wearèn wan;</p> +<p>Or while woone's wife, wi' busy hands,</p> +<p>Avore her vier o' burnèn brands,</p> +<p>Do put, as best she can avword,</p> +<p>Her bit o' dinner on the bwoard.</p> +<p>An' here, when I do teäke my road,</p> +<p>At breakfast-time, agwaïn abrode,</p> +<p>Why, I can zee if any plot</p> +<p>O' groun' do want a hand or not;</p> +<p>An' bid my childern, when there's need,</p> +<p>To draw a reäke or pull a weed,</p><a name="page310" id="page310"></a><span class="left">[page 310]</span> +<p>Or heal young beäns or peas in line,</p> +<p>Or tie em up wi' rods an' twine,</p> +<p>Or peel a kindly withy white</p> +<p>To hold a droopèn flow'r upright.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>THOMAS.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No. Bits o' time can zeldom come</p> +<p>To much on groun' a mile vrom hwome.</p> +<p>A man at hwome should have in view</p> +<p>The jobs his childern's hands can do,</p> +<p>An' groun' abrode mid teäke em all</p> +<p>Beyond their mother's zight an' call,</p> +<p>To get a zoakèn in a storm,</p> +<p>Or vall, i' may be, into harm.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees. Geärden groun', as I've a-zed,</p> +<p>Is better near woone's bwoard an' bed.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p310" id="p310"></a> + +<h4>PENTRIDGE BY THE RIVER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Pentridge!—oh! my heart's a-zwellèn</p> +<p>Vull o' jaÿ wi' vo'k a-tellèn</p> +<p class="i2">Any news o' thik wold pleäce,</p> +<p>An' the boughy hedges round it,</p> +<p>An' the river that do bound it</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' his dark but glis'nèn feäce.</p> +<p>Vor there's noo land, on either hand,</p> +<p>To me lik' Pentridge by the river.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Be there any leaves to quiver</p> +<p>On the aspen by the river?</p> +<p class="i2">Doo he sheäde the water still,</p> +<p>Where the rushes be a-growèn,</p> +<p>Where the sullen Stour's a-flowèn</p> +<p class="i2">Drough the meäds vrom mill to mill?</p> +<p>Vor if a tree wer dear to me,</p> +<p>Oh! 'twer thik aspen by the river.</p></div> +<a name="page311" id="page311"></a><span class="left">[page 311]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, in eegrass new a-shootèn,</p> +<p>I did run on even vootèn,</p> +<p class="i2">Happy, over new-mow'd land;</p> +<p>Or did zing wi' zingèn drushes</p> +<p>While I plaïted, out o' rushes,</p> +<p class="i2">Little baskets vor my hand;</p> +<p>Bezide the clote that there did float,</p> +<p>Wi' yollow blossoms, on the river.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the western zun's a vallèn,</p> +<p>What sh'ill vaïce is now a-callèn</p> +<p class="i2">Hwome the deäiry to the païls;</p> +<p>Who do dreve em on, a-flingèn</p> +<p>Wide-bow'd horns, or slowly zwingèn</p> +<p class="i2">Right an' left their tufty taïls?</p> +<p>As they do goo a-huddled drough</p> +<p>The geäte a-leädèn up vrom river.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Bleäded grass is now a-shootèn</p> +<p>Where the vloor wer woonce our vootèn,</p> +<p class="i2">While the hall wer still in pleäce.</p> +<p>Stwones be looser in the wallèn;</p> +<p>Hollow trees be nearer vallèn;</p> +<p class="i2">Ev'ry thing ha' chang'd its feäce.</p> +<p>But still the neäme do bide the seäme—</p> +<p>'Tis Pentridge—Pentridge by the river.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p311" id="p311"></a> + +<h4>WHEAT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In brown-leav'd Fall the wheat a-left</p> +<p class="i2">'Ithin its darksome bed,</p> +<p>Where all the creakèn roller's heft</p> +<p class="i2">Seal'd down its lowly head,</p> +<p>Sprung sheäkèn drough the crumblèn mwold,</p> +<p class="i2">Green-yollow, vrom below,</p> +<p>An' bent its bleädes, a-glitt'rèn cwold,</p> +<p class="i2">At last in winter snow.</p><a name="page312" id="page312"></a><span class="left">[page 312]</span> +<p class="i6">Zoo luck betide</p> +<p class="i6">The upland zide,</p> +<p class="i6">Where wheat do wride,</p> +<p class="i6">In corn-vields wide,</p> +<p class="i2">By crowns o' Do'set Downs, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while the screamèn bird-bwoy shook</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' little zun-burnt hand,</p> +<p>His clacker at the bright-wing'd rook,</p> +<p class="i2">About the zeeded land;</p> +<p>His meäster there did come an' stop</p> +<p class="i2">His bridle-champèn meäre,</p> +<p>Wi' thankvul heart, to zee his crop</p> +<p class="i2">A-comèn up so feäir.</p> +<p class="i6">As there awhile</p> +<p class="i6">By geäte or stile,</p> +<p class="i6">He gi'ed the chile</p> +<p class="i6">A cheerèn smile,</p> +<p>By crowns o' Do'set Downs, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At last, wi' eärs o' darksome red,</p> +<p class="i2">The yollow stalks did ply,</p> +<p>A-swaÿèn slow, so heavy 's lead,</p> +<p class="i2">In aïr a-blowèn by;</p> +<p>An' then the busy reapers laid</p> +<p class="i2">In row their russlèn grips,</p> +<p>An' sheäves, a-leänèn head by head,</p> +<p class="i2">Did meäke the stitches tips.</p> +<p class="i6">Zoo food's a-vound,</p> +<p class="i6">A-comèn round,</p> +<p class="i6">Vrom zeed in ground,</p> +<p class="i6">To sheaves a-bound,</p> +<p class="i2">By crowns o' Do'set Downs, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' now the wheat, in lofty lwoads,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the meäres' broad backs,</p> +<p>Do ride along the cracklèn rwoads,</p> +<p class="i2">Or dousty waggon-tracks.</p><a name="page313" id="page313"></a><span class="left">[page 313]</span> +<p>An' there, mid every busy pick,</p> +<p class="i2">Ha' work enough to do;</p> +<p>An' where, avore, we built woone rick,</p> +<p class="i2">Mid theäse year gi'e us two;</p> +<p class="i6">Wi' God our friend,</p> +<p class="i6">An' wealth to spend,</p> +<p class="i6">Vor zome good end,</p> +<p class="i6">That times mid mend,</p> +<p class="i2">In towns, an' Do'set Downs, O.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let the merry thatcher veel</p> +<p class="i2">Fine weather on his brow,</p> +<p>As he, in happy work, do kneel</p> +<p class="i2">Up roun' the new-built mow,</p> +<p>That now do zwell in sich a size,</p> +<p class="i2">An' rise to sich a height,</p> +<p>That, oh! the miller's wistful eyes</p> +<p class="i2">Do sparkle at the zight</p> +<p class="i6">An' long mid stand,</p> +<p class="i6">A happy band,</p> +<p class="i6">To till the land,</p> +<p class="i6">Wi' head an' hand,</p> +<p class="i2">By crowns o' Do'set Downs, O.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p313" id="p313"></a> + +<h4>THE MEÄD IN JUNE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! how the looks o' sky an' ground</p> +<p>Do change wi' months a-stealèn round,</p> +<p>When northern winds, by starry night,</p> +<p>Do stop in ice the river's flight;</p> +<p>Or brooks in winter raïns do zwell,</p> +<p>Lik' rollèn seas athirt the dell;</p> +<p>Or trickle thin in zummer-tide;</p> +<p>Among the mossy stwones half dried;</p> +<p>But still, below the zun or moon,</p> +<p>The feàrest vield's the meäd in June.</p></div> +<a name="page314" id="page314"></a><span class="left">[page 314]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I must own, my heart do beät</p> +<p>Wi' pride avore my own blue geäte,</p> +<p>Where I can bid the steätely tree</p> +<p>Be cast, at langth, avore my knee;</p> +<p>An' clover red, an' deäzies feaïr,</p> +<p>An' gil'cups wi' their yollow gleäre,</p> +<p>Be all a-match'd avore my zight</p> +<p>By wheelèn buttervlees in flight,</p> +<p>The while the burnèn zun at noon</p> +<p>Do sheen upon my meäd in June.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there do zing the swingèn lark</p> +<p>So gaÿ's above the finest park,</p> +<p>An' day do sheäde my trees as true</p> +<p>As any steätely avenue;</p> +<p>An' show'ry clouds o' Spring do pass</p> +<p>To shed their raïn on my young grass,</p> +<p>An' aïr do blow the whole day long,</p> +<p>To bring me breath, an' teäke my zong,</p> +<p>An' I do miss noo needvul boon</p> +<p>A-gi'ed to other meäds in June.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the bloomèn rwose do ride</p> +<p>Upon the boughy hedge's zide,</p> +<p>We haymeäkers, in snow-white sleeves,</p> +<p>Do work in sheädes o' quiv'rèn leaves,</p> +<p>In afternoon, a-liftèn high</p> +<p>Our reäkes avore the viery sky,</p> +<p>A-reäken up the hay a-dried</p> +<p>By day, in lwongsome weäles, to bide</p> +<p>In chilly dew below the moon,</p> +<p>O' shorten'd nights in zultry June.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the brook do softly flow</p> +<p>Along, a-bendèn in a bow,</p><a name="page315" id="page315"></a><span class="left">[page 315]</span> +<p>An' vish, wi' zides o' zilver-white,</p> +<p>Do flash vrom shoals a dazzlèn light;</p> +<p>An' alders by the water's edge,</p> +<p>Do sheäde the ribbon-bleäded zedge,</p> +<p>An' where, below the withy's head,</p> +<p>The zwimmèn clote-leaves be a-spread,</p> +<p>The angler is a-zot at noon</p> +<p>Upon the flow'ry bank in June.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor all the aiër that do bring</p> +<p>My little meäd the breath o' Spring,</p> +<p>By day an' night's a-flowèn wide</p> +<p>Above all other vields bezide;</p> +<p>Vor all the zun above my ground</p> +<p>'S a-zent vor all the naïghbours round,</p> +<p>An' raïn do vall, an' streams do flow,</p> +<p>Vor lands above, an' lands below,</p> +<p>My bit o' meäd is God's own boon,</p> +<p>To me alwone, vrom June to June.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p315" id="p315"></a> + +<h4>EARLY RISÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The aïr to gi'e your cheäks a hue</p> +<p>O' rwosy red, so feaïr to view,</p> +<p>Is what do sheäke the grass-bleädes gray</p> +<p>At breäk o' day, in mornèn dew;</p> +<p>Vor vo'k that will be rathe abrode,</p> +<p>Will meet wi' health upon their road.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But bidèn up till dead o' night,</p> +<p>When han's o' clocks do stan' upright,</p> +<p>By candle-light, do soon consume</p> +<p>The feäce's bloom, an' turn it white.</p> +<p>An' light a-cast vrom midnight skies</p> +<p>Do blunt the sparklèn ov the eyes.</p></div> +<a name="page316" id="page316"></a><span class="left">[page 316]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor health do weäke vrom nightly dreams</p> +<p>Below the mornèn's eärly beams,</p> +<p>An' leäve the dead-aïr'd houses' eaves,</p> +<p>Vor quiv'rèn leaves, an' bubblèn streams,</p> +<p>A-glitt'rèn brightly to the view,</p> +<p>Below a sky o' cloudless blue.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p316" id="p316"></a> + +<h4>ZELLEN WOONE'S HONEY TO BUY ZOME'HAT SWEET.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, his heart's lik' a popple, so hard as a stwone,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor 'tis money, an' money's his ho,</p> +<p>An' to handle an' reckon it up vor his own,</p> +<p class="i2">Is the best o' the jaÿs he do know.</p> +<p>Why, vor money he'd gi'e up his lags an' be leäme,</p> +<p class="i2">Or would peärt wi' his zight an' be blind,</p> +<p>Or would lose vo'k's good will, vor to have a bad neäme,</p> +<p class="i2">Or his peace, an' have trouble o' mind.</p> +<p>But wi' ev'ry good thing that his meänness mid bring,</p> +<p class="i4">He'd paÿ vor his money,</p> +<p>An' only zell honey to buy zome'hat sweet.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He did whisper to me, "You do know that you stood</p> +<p class="i2">By the Squier, wi' the vote that you had,</p> +<p>You could ax en to help ye to zome'hat as good,</p> +<p class="i2">Or to vind a good pleäce vor your lad."</p> +<p>"Aye, aye, but if I wer beholdèn vor bread</p> +<p class="i2">To another," I zaid, "I should bind</p> +<p>All my body an' soul to the nod of his head,</p> +<p class="i2">An' gi'e up all my freedom o' mind."</p> +<p>An' then, if my païn wer a-zet wi' my gaïn,</p> +<p class="i4">I should paÿ vor my money,</p> +<p>An' only zell honey to buy zome'hat sweet.</p></div> +<a name="page317" id="page317"></a><span class="left">[page 317]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then, if my bit o' brook that do wind so vur round,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer but his, why, he'd straïghten his bed,</p> +<p>An' the wold stunpole woak that do stan' in my ground,</p> +<p class="i2">Shoudden long sheäde the grass wi' his head.</p> +<p>But if I do vind jaÿ where the leaves be a-shook</p> +<p class="i2">On the limbs, wi' their sheädes on the grass,</p> +<p>Or below, in the bow o' the withy-bound nook,</p> +<p class="i2">That the rock-washèn water do pass,</p> +<p>Then wi' they jaÿs a-vled an' zome goold in their stead,</p> +<p class="i4">I should pay vor my money,</p> +<p>An' only zell honey to buy zome'hat sweet.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, be my lot good work, wi' the lungs well in plaÿ,</p> +<p class="i2">An' good rest when the body do tire,</p> +<p>Vor the mind a good conscience, wi' hope or wi' jaÿ,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor the body, good lewth, an' good vire,</p> +<p>There's noo good o' goold, but to buy what 'ull meäke</p> +<p class="i2">Vor our happiness here among men;</p> +<p>An' who would gi'e happiness up vor the seäke</p> +<p class="i2">O' zome money to buy it ageän?</p> +<p>Vor 'twould seem to the eyes ov a man that is wise,</p> +<p class="i4">Lik' money vor money,</p> +<p>Or zellèn woone's honey to buy zome'hat sweet.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p317" id="p317"></a> + +<h4>DOBBIN DEAD.</h4> + +<h4><i>Thomas</i> (1) <i>an' John</i> (2) <i>a-ta'èn o't.</i></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. I do veel vor ye, Thomas, vor I be a-feär'd</p> +<p class="i2"> You've a-lost your wold meäre then, by what I've a-heärd.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>1. Ees, my meäre is a-gone, an' the cart's in the shed</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' his wheelbonds a-rustèn, an' I'm out o' bread;</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor what be my han's vor to eärn me a croust,</p> +<p class="i2"> Wi' noo meäre's vower legs vor to trample the doust.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. Well, how did it happen? He vell vrom the brim</p> +<p class="i2"> Ov a cliff, as the teäle is, an' broke ev'ry lim'.</p></div> +<a name="page318" id="page318"></a><span class="left">[page 318]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>1. Why, I gi'ed en his run, an' he shook his wold meäne,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' he rambled a-veedèn in Westergap Leäne;</p> +<p class="i2"> An' there he must needs goo a-riggèn, an' crope</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor a vew bleädes o' grass up the wo'st o' the slope;</p> +<p class="i2"> Though I should ha' thought his wold head would ha' know'd</p> +<p class="i2"> That vor stiff lags, lik' his, the best pleäce wer the road.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. An' you hadden a-kept en so short, he must clim',</p> +<p class="i2"> Lik' a gwoat, vor a bleäde, at the risk ov a lim'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>1. Noo, but there, I'm a-twold, he did clim' an' did slide,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' did screäpe, an' did slip, on the shelvèn bank-zide,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' at langth lost his vootèn, an' roll'd vrom the top,</p> +<p class="i2"> Down, thump, kick, an' higgledly, piggledly, flop.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. Dear me, that is bad! I do veel vor your loss,</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor a vew years agoo, Thomas, I lost my ho'se.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>1. How wer't? If I heärd it, I now ha' vorgot;</p> +<p class="i2"> Wer the poor thing bewitch'd or a-pweison'd, or what?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. He wer out, an' a-meäkèn his way to the brink</p> +<p class="i2"> O' the stream at the end o' Church Leäne, vor to drink;</p> +<p class="i2"> An' he met wi' zome yew-twigs the men had a-cast</p> +<p class="i2"> Vrom the yew-tree, in churchyard, the road that he past.</p> +<p class="i2"> He wer pweison'd. (1.) O dear, 'tis a hard loss to bear,</p> +<p class="i2"> Vor a tranter's whole bread is a-lost wi' his meäre;</p> +<p class="i2"> But ov all churches' yew-trees, I never zet eyes</p> +<p class="i2"> On a tree that would come up to thik woone vor size.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>2. Noo, 'tis long years agone, but do linger as clear</p> +<p class="i2"> In my mind though as if I'd a-heärd it to year.</p> +<p class="i2"> When King George wer in Do'set, an' show'd us his feäce</p> +<p class="i2"> By our very own doors, at our very own pleäce,</p> +<p class="i2"> That he look'd at thik yew-tree, an' nodded his head,</p> +<p class="i2"> An' he zaid,—an' I'll tell ye the words that he zaid:—</p> +<p class="i2"> "I'll be bound, if you'll sarch my dominions all drough.</p> +<p class="i2"> That you woon't vind the fellow to thik there wold yew."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page319" id="page319"></a><span class="left">[page 319]</span> + +<h4>HAPPINESS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! you do seem to think the ground,</p> +<p>Where happiness is best a-vound,</p> +<p>Is where the high-peäl'd park do reach</p> +<p>Wi' elem-rows, or clumps o' beech;</p> +<p>Or where the coach do stand avore</p> +<p>The twelve-tunn'd house's lofty door,</p> +<p>Or men can ride behin' their hounds</p> +<p>Vor miles athirt their own wide grounds,</p> +<p class="i2">An' seldom wi' the lowly;</p> +<p>Upon the green that we do tread,</p> +<p>Below the welsh-nut's wide-limb'd head,</p> +<p>Or grass where apple trees do spread?</p> +<p>No, so's; no, no: not high nor low:</p> +<p>'Tis where the heart is holy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis true its veet mid tread the vloor,</p> +<p>'Ithin the marble-pillar'd door,</p> +<p>Where day do cast, in high-ruf'd halls.</p> +<p>His light drough lofty window'd walls;</p> +<p>An' wax-white han's do never tire</p> +<p>Wi' strokes ov heavy work vor hire,</p> +<p>An' all that money can avword</p> +<p>Do lwoad the zilver-brighten'd bwoard:</p> +<p class="i2">Or mid be wi' the lowly,</p> +<p>Where turf's a-smwolderèn avore</p> +<p>The back, to warm the stwonèn vloor</p> +<p>An' love's at hwome 'ithin the door?</p> +<p>No, so's; no, no; not high nor low:</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis where the heart is holy.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' ceäre can come 'ithin a ring</p> +<p>O' sworded guards, to smite a king,</p><a name="page320" id="page320"></a><span class="left">[page 320]</span> +<p>Though he mid hold 'ithin his hands</p> +<p>The zwarmèn vo'k o' many lands;</p> +<p>Or goo in drough the iron-geäte</p> +<p>Avore the house o' lofty steäte;</p> +<p>Or reach the miser that do smile</p> +<p>A-buildèn up his goolden pile;</p> +<p class="i2">Or else mid smite the lowly,</p> +<p>That have noo pow'r to loose or bind</p> +<p>Another's body, or his mind,</p> +<p>But only hands to help mankind.</p> +<p>If there is rest 'ithin the breast,</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis where the heart is holy.</p> +</div> </div><br /><br /><br /> + + <a name="p320" id="p320"></a> + +<h4>GRUFFMOODY GRIM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, a sad life his wife must ha' led,</p> +<p>Vor so snappish he's leätely a-come,</p> +<p>That there's nothèn but anger or dread</p> +<p>Where he is, abroad or at hwome;</p> +<p>He do wreak all his spite on the bwones</p> +<p>O' whatever do vlee, or do crawl;</p> +<p>He do quarrel wi' stocks, an' wi' stwones,</p> +<p>An' the raïn, if do hold up or vall;</p> +<p>There is nothèn vrom mornèn till night</p> +<p>Do come right to Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Woone night, in his anger, he zwore</p> +<p>At the vier, that didden burn free:</p> +<p>An' he het zome o't out on the vloor,</p> +<p>Vor a vlanker it cast on his knee.</p> +<p>Then he kicked it vor burnèn the child,</p> +<p>An' het it among the cat's heaïrs;</p> +<p>An' then beät the cat, a-run wild,</p> +<p>Wi' a spark on her back up the steaïrs:</p> +<p>Vor even the vier an' fleäme</p> +<p>Be to bleäme wi' Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<a name="page321" id="page321"></a><span class="left">[page 321]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then he snarl'd at the tea in his cup,</p> +<p>Vor 'twer all a-got cwold in the pot,</p> +<p>But 'twer woo'se when his wife vill'd it up</p> +<p>Vrom the vier, vor 'twer then scaldèn hot;</p> +<p>Then he growl'd that the bread wer sich stuff</p> +<p>As noo hammer in parish could crack,</p> +<p>An' flung down the knife in a huff;</p> +<p>Vor the edge o'n wer thicker'n the back.</p> +<p>Vor beäkers an' meäkers o' tools</p> +<p>Be all fools wi' Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oone day as he vish'd at the brook,</p> +<p>He flung up, wi' a quick-handed knack,</p> +<p>His long line, an' his high-vleèn hook</p> +<p>Wer a-hitch'd in zome briars at his back.</p> +<p>Then he zwore at the brembles, an' prick'd</p> +<p>His beäre hand, as he pull'd the hook free;</p> +<p>An' ageän, in a rage, as he kick'd</p> +<p>At the briars, wer a-scratch'd on the knee.</p> +<p>An' he wish'd ev'ry bremble an' briar</p> +<p>Wer o' vier, did Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! he's welcome, vor me, to breed dread</p> +<p>Wherever his sheäde mid alight,</p> +<p>An' to live wi' noo me'th round his head,</p> +<p>An' noo feäce wi' a smile in his zight;</p> +<p>But let vo'k be all merry an' zing</p> +<p>At the he'th where my own logs do burn,</p> +<p>An' let anger's wild vist never swing</p> +<p>In where I have a door on his durn;</p> +<p>Vor I'll be a happier man,</p> +<p>While I can, than Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>To zit down by the vier at night,</p> +<p>Is my jaÿ—vor I woon't call it pride,—</p> +<p>Wi' a brand on the bricks, all alight,</p> +<p>An' a pile o' zome mwore at the zide.</p> +<p>Then tell me o' zome'hat that's droll,</p><a name="page322" id="page322"></a><span class="left">[page 322]</span> +<p>An' I'll laugh till my two zides do eäche</p> +<p>Or o' naïghbours in sorrow o' soul,</p> +<p>An' I'll tweil all the night vor their seäke;</p> +<p>An' show that to teäke things amiss</p> +<p>Idden bliss, to Gruffmoody Grim.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then let my child clim' my lag,</p> +<p>An' I'll lift en, wi' love, to my chin;</p> +<p>Or my maïd come an' coax me to bag</p> +<p>Vor a frock, an' a frock she shall win;</p> +<p>Or, then if my wife do meäke light</p> +<p>O' whatever the bwoys mid ha' broke,</p> +<p>It wull seem but so small in my zight,</p> +<p>As a leaf a-het down vrom a woak</p> +<p>An' not meäke me ceäper an' froth</p> +<p>Vull o' wrath, lik' Gruffmoody Grim.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p322" id="p322"></a> + +<h4>THE TURN O' THE DAYS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O the wings o' the rook wer a-glitterèn bright,</p> +<p>As he wheel'd on above, in the zun's evenèn light,</p> +<p>An' noo snow wer a-left, but in patches o' white,</p> +<p class="i2">On the hill at the turn o' the days.</p> +<p>An' along on the slope wer the beäre-timber'd copse,</p> +<p>Wi' the dry wood a-sheäkèn, wi' red-twiggèd tops.</p> +<p>Vor the dry-flowèn wind, had a-blow'd off the drops</p> +<p class="i2">O' the raïn, at the turn o' the days.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the stream did run on, in the sheäde o' the hill,</p> +<p>So smooth in his flowèn, as if he stood still,</p> +<p>An' bright wi' the skylight, did slide to the mill,</p> +<p class="i2">By the meäds, at the turn o' the days.</p> +<p>An' up by the copse, down along the hill brow,</p> +<p>Wer vurrows a-cut down, by men out at plough,</p> +<p>So straïght as the zunbeams, a-shot drough the bough</p> +<p class="i2">O' the tree at the turn o' the days.</p></div> +<a name="page323" id="page323"></a><span class="left">[page 323]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then the boomèn wold clock in the tower did mark</p> +<p>His vive hours, avore the cool evenèn wer dark,</p> +<p>An' ivy did glitter a-clung round the bark</p> +<p class="i2">O' the tree, at the turn o' the days.</p> +<p>An' womèn a-fraïd o' the road in the night,</p> +<p>Wer a-heästenèn on to reach hwome by the light,</p> +<p>A-castèn long sheädes on the road, a-dried white,</p> +<p class="i2">Down the hill, at the turn o' the days.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The father an' mother did walk out to view</p> +<p>The moss-bedded snow-drop, a-sprung in the lew,</p> +<p>An' hear if the birds wer a-zingèn anew,</p> +<p class="i2">In the boughs, at the turn o' the days.</p> +<p>An' young vo'k a-laughèn wi' smooth glossy feäce,</p> +<p>Did hie over vields, wi' a light-vooted peäce,</p> +<p>To friends where the tow'r did betoken a pleäce</p> +<p class="i2">Among trees, at the turn o' the days.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p323" id="p323"></a> + +<h4>THE SPARROW CLUB.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Last night the merry farmers' sons,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom biggest down to leäst, min,</p> +<p>Gi'ed in the work of all their guns,</p> +<p class="i2">An' had their sparrow feäst, min.</p> +<p>An' who vor woone good merry soul</p> +<p class="i2">Should goo to sheäre their me'th, min,</p> +<p>But Gammon Gaÿ, a chap so droll,</p> +<p class="i2">He'd meäke ye laugh to death, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor heads o' sparrows they've a-shot</p> +<p class="i2">They'll have a prize in cwein, min,</p> +<p>That is, if they can meäke their scot,</p> +<p class="i2">Or else they'll paÿ a fine, min.</p> +<p>An' all the money they can teäke</p> +<p class="i2">'S a-gather'd up there-right, min,</p></div><a name="page324" id="page324"></a><span class="left">[page 324]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' spent in meat an' drink, to meäke</p> +<p class="i2">A supper vor the night, min.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo when they took away the cloth,</p> +<p class="i2">In middle of their din, min,</p> +<p>An' cups o' eäle begun to froth,</p> +<p class="i2">Below their merry chin, min.</p> +<p>An' when the zong, by turn or chaïce,</p> +<p class="i2">Went roun' vrom tongue to tongue, min,</p> +<p>Then Gammon pitch'd his merry vaïce,</p> +<p class="i2">An' here's the zong he zung, min.</p> + </div> +</div><br /> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i12"><b><i>Zong.</i></b></p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you'll but let your clackers rest</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom jabberèn an' hootèn,</p> +<p>I'll teäke my turn, an' do my best,</p> +<p class="i2">To zing o' sparrow shootèn.</p> +<p>Since every woone mus' pitch his key,</p> +<p class="i2">An' zing a zong, in coo'se, lads,</p> +<p>Why sparrow heads shall be to-day</p> +<p class="i2">The heads o' my discoo'se, lads.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We'll zend abroad our viery haïl</p> +<p class="i2">Till ev'ry foe's a-vled, lads,</p> +<p>An' though the rogues mid all turn taïl,</p> +<p class="i2">We'll quickly show their head, lads.</p> +<p>In corn, or out on oben ground,</p> +<p class="i2">In bush, or up in tree, lads,</p> +<p>If we don't kill em, I'll be bound,</p> +<p class="i2">We'll meäke their veathers vlee, lads.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let the belted spwortsmen brag</p> +<p class="i2">When they've a-won a neäme, so's,</p> +<p>That they do vind, or they do bag,</p> +<p class="i2">Zoo many head o' geäme, so's;</p><a name="page325" id="page325"></a><span class="left">[page 325]</span> +<p>Vor when our cwein is woonce a-won,</p> +<p class="i2">By heads o' sundry sizes,</p> +<p>Why, who can slight what we've a-done?</p> +<p class="i2">We've all a-won <i>head</i> prizes.</p></div> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Then teäke a drap vor harmless fun,</p> +<p class="i2">But not enough to quarrel;</p> +<p>Though where a man do like the gun,</p> +<p class="i2">He can't but need the barrel.</p> +<p>O' goodly feäre, avore we'll start,</p> +<p class="i2">We'll zit an' teäke our vill, min;</p> +<p>Our supper-bill can be but short,</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis but a sparrow-bill, min.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p325" id="p325"></a> + +<h4>GAMMONY GAŸ.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! thik Gammony Gaÿ is so droll,</p> +<p>That if he's at hwome by the he'th,</p> +<p>Or wi' vo'k out o' door, he's the soul</p> +<p>O' the meetèn vor antics an' me'th;</p> +<p>He do cast off the thoughts ov ill luck</p> +<p>As the water's a-shot vrom a duck;</p> +<p>He do zing where his naïghbours would cry</p> +<p>He do laugh where the rest o's would sigh:</p> +<p>Noo other's so merry o' feäce,</p> +<p>In the pleäce, as Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' o' workèn days, Oh! he do wear</p> +<p>Such a funny roun' hat,—you mid know't—</p> +<p>Wi' a brim all a-strout roun' his heäir,</p> +<p>An' his glissenèn eyes down below't;</p> +<p>An' a cwoat wi' broad skirts that do vlee</p> +<p>In the wind ov his walk, round his knee;</p> +<p>An' a peäir o' girt pockets lik' bags,</p> +<p>That do swing an' do bob at his lags:</p> +<p>While me'th do walk out drough the pleäce,</p> +<p>In the feäce o' Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<a name="page326" id="page326"></a><span class="left">[page 326]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' if he do goo over groun'</p> +<p>Wi' noo soul vor to greet wi' his words,</p> +<p>The feäce o'n do look up an' down,</p> +<p>An' round en so quick as a bird's;</p> +<p>An' if he do vall in wi' vo'k,</p> +<p>Why, tidden vor want ov a joke,</p> +<p>If he don't zend em on vrom the pleäce</p> +<p>Wi' a smile or a grin on their feäce:</p> +<p>An' the young wi' the wold have a-heärd</p> +<p>A kind word vrom Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when he do whissel or hum,</p> +<p>'Ithout thinkèn o' what he's a-doèn,</p> +<p>He'll beät his own lags vor a drum,</p> +<p>An' bob his gaÿ head to the tuèn;</p> +<p>An' then you mid zee, 'etween whiles,</p> +<p>His feäce all alive wi' his smiles,</p> +<p>An' his gaÿ-breathèn bozom do rise,</p> +<p>An' his me'th do sheen out ov his eyes:</p> +<p>An' at last to have praïse or have bleäme,</p> +<p>Is the seäme to Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When he drove his wold cart out, an' broke</p> +<p>The nut o' the wheel at a butt.</p> +<p>There wer "woo'se things," he cried, wi' a joke.</p> +<p>"To grieve at than crackèn a nut."</p> +<p>An' when he tipp'd over a lwoad</p> +<p>Ov his reed-sheaves woone day on the rwoad,</p> +<p>Then he spet in his han's, out o' sleeves,</p> +<p>An' whissel'd, an' flung up his sheaves,</p> +<p>As very vew others can wag,</p> +<p>Eärm or lag, but Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He wer wi' us woone night when the band</p> +<p>Wer a-come vor to gi'e us a hop,</p> +<p>An' he pull'd Grammer out by the hand</p> +<p>All down drough the dance vrom the top;</p><a name="page327" id="page327"></a><span class="left">[page 327]</span> +<p>An' Grammer did hobble an' squall,</p> +<p>Wi' Gammon a-leädèn the ball;</p> +<p>While Gammon did sheäke up his knee</p> +<p>An' his voot, an' zing "Diddle-ee-dee!"</p> +<p>An' we laugh'd ourzelves all out o' breath</p> +<p>At the me'th o' Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When our tun wer' o' vier he rod</p> +<p>Out to help us, an' meäde us sich fun,</p> +<p>Vor he clomb up to dreve in a wad</p> +<p>O' wet thorns, to the he'th, vrom the tun;</p> +<p>An' there he did stamp wi' his voot,</p> +<p>To push down the thorns an' the zoot,</p> +<p>Till at last down the chimney's black wall</p> +<p>Went the wad, an' poor Gammon an' all:</p> +<p>An' seäfe on the he'th, wi' a grin</p> +<p>On his chin pitch'd Gammony Gaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>All the house-dogs do waggle their taïls,</p> +<p>If they do but catch zight ov his feäce;</p> +<p>An' the ho'ses do look over raïls,</p> +<p>An' do whicker to zee'n at the pleäce;</p> +<p>An' he'll always bestow a good word</p> +<p>On a cat or a whisselèn bird;</p> +<p>An' even if culvers do coo,</p> +<p>Or an owl is a-cryèn "Hoo, hoo,"</p> +<p>Where he is, there's always a joke</p> +<p>To be spoke, by Gammony Gaÿ.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p327" id="p327"></a> + +<h4>THE HEARE.</h4> + +<h4>(<i>Dree o'm a-ta'kèn o't</i>.)</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>(1) There be the greyhounds! lo'k! an' there's the heäre!</p> +<p>(2) What houn's, the squier's, Thomas? where, then, where?</p><a name="page328" id="page328"></a><span class="left">[page 328]</span> +<p>(1) Why, out in Ash Hill, near the barn, behind</p> +<p class="i4">Thik tree. (3) The pollard? (1) Pollard! no, b'ye blind?</p> +<p>(2) There, I do zee em over-right thik cow.</p> +<p>(3) The red woone? (1) No, a mile beyand her now.</p> +<p>(3) Oh! there's the heäre, a-meäkèn for the drong.</p> +<p>(2) My goodness! How the dogs do zweep along,</p> +<p class="i4">A-pokèn out their pweinted noses' tips.</p> +<p>(3) He can't allow hizzelf much time vor slips!</p> +<p>(1) They'll hab'en, after all, I'll bet a crown.</p> +<p>(2) Done vor a crown. They woon't! He's gwäin to groun'.</p> +<p>(3) He is! (1) He idden! (3) Ah! 'tis well his tooes</p> +<p class="i4">Ha' got noo corns, inside o' hobnaïl shoes.</p> +<p>(1) He's geäme a runnèn too. Why, he do mwore</p> +<p class="i4">Than eärn his life. (3) His life wer his avore.</p> +<p>(1) There, now the dogs wull turn en. (2) No! He's right.</p> +<p>(1) He idden! (2) Ees he is! (3) He's out o' zight.</p> +<p>(1) Aye, aye. His mettle wull be well a-tried</p> +<p class="i4">Agwaïn down Verny Hill, o' tother zide.</p> +<p class="i4">They'll have en there. (3) O no! a vew good hops</p> +<p class="i4">Wull teäke en on to Knapton Lower Copse.</p> +<p>(2) An' that's a meesh that he've a-took avore.</p> +<p>(3) Ees, that's his hwome. (1) He'll never reach his door.</p> +<p>(2) He wull. (1) He woon't. (3) Now, hark, d'ye heär em now?</p> +<p>(2) O! here's a bwoy a-come athirt the brow</p> +<p class="i4">O' Knapton Hill. We'll ax en. (1) Here, my bwoy!</p> +<p class="i4">Can'st tell us where's the heäre? (4) He's got awoy.</p> +<p>(2) Ees, got awoy, in coo'se, I never zeed</p> +<p class="i4">A heäre a-scotèn on wi' half his speed.</p> +<p>(1) Why, there, the dogs be wold, an' half a-done.</p> +<p class="i4">They can't catch anything wi' lags to run.</p> +<p>(2) Vrom vu'st to last they had but little chance</p> +<p class="i4">O' catchèn o'n. (3) They had a perty dance.</p> +<p>(1) No, catch en, no! I little thought they would;</p> +<p class="i4">He know'd his road too well to Knapton Wood.</p> +<p>(3) No! no! I wish the squier would let me feäre</p> +<p class="i4">On rabbits till his hounds do catch thik heäre.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page329" id="page329"></a><span class="left">[page 329]</span> + +<h4>NANNY GILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! they wer times, when Nanny Gill</p> +<p>Went so'jerèn ageänst her will,</p> +<p>Back when the King come down to view</p> +<p>His ho'se an' voot, in red an' blue,</p> +<p class="i2">An' they did march in rows,</p> +<p class="i2">An' wheel in lines an' bows,</p> +<p class="i2">Below the King's own nose;</p> +<p>An' guns did pwoint, an' swords did gleäre,</p> +<p>A-fightèn foes that werden there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Poor Nanny Gill did goo to zell</p> +<p>In town her glitt'rèn macarel,</p> +<p>A-pack'd wi' ceäre, in even lots,</p> +<p>A-ho'seback in a peäir o' pots.</p> +<p class="i2">An' zoo when she did ride</p> +<p class="i2">Between her panniers wide,</p> +<p class="i2">Red-cloked in all her pride,</p> +<p>Why, who but she, an' who but broke</p> +<p>The road avore her scarlet cloke!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But Nanny's ho'se that she did ride,</p> +<p>Woonce carr'd a sword ageän his zide,</p> +<p>An' had, to prick en into rank,</p> +<p>A so'jer's spurs ageän his flank;</p> +<p class="i2">An' zoo, when he got zight</p> +<p class="i2">O' swords a-gleamèn bright,</p> +<p class="i2">An' men agwaïn to fight,</p> +<p>He set his eyes athirt the ground,</p> +<p>An' prick'd his ears to catch the sound.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then Nanny gi'ed his zide a kick,</p> +<p>An' het en wi' her limber stick;</p><a name="page330" id="page330"></a><span class="left">[page 330]</span> +<p>But suddenly a horn did sound,</p> +<p>An' zend the ho'semen on vull bound;</p> +<p class="i2">An' her ho'se at the zight</p> +<p class="i2">Went after em, vull flight,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' Nanny in a fright,</p> +<p>A-pullèn, wi' a scream an' grin,</p> +<p>Her wold brown raïns to hold en in.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But no! he went away vull bound,</p> +<p>As vast as he could tear the ground,</p> +<p>An' took, in line, a so'jer's pleäce,</p> +<p>Vor Nanny's cloke an' frighten'd feäce;</p> +<p class="i2">While vo'k did laugh an' shout</p> +<p class="i2">To zee her cloke stream out,</p> +<p class="i2">As she did wheel about,</p> +<p>A-cryèn, "Oh! la! dear!" in fright,</p> +<p>The while her ho'se did plaÿ sham fight.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p330" id="p330"></a> + +<h4>MOONLIGHT ON THE DOOR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A-swaÿèn slow, the poplar's head,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the slopèn thatch did ply,</p> +<p>The while the midnight moon did shed</p> +<p class="i2">His light below the spangled sky.</p> +<p>An' there the road did reach avore</p> +<p class="i2">The hatch, all vootless down the hill;</p> +<p class="i2">An' hands, a-tired by day, wer still,</p> +<p>Wi' moonlight on the door.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A-boomèn deep, did slowly sound</p> +<p class="i2">The bell, a-tellèn middle night;</p> +<p>The while the quiv'rèn ivy, round</p> +<p class="i2">The tree, did sheäke in softest light.</p><a name="page331" id="page331"></a><span class="left">[page 331]</span> +<p>But vootless wer the stwone avore</p> +<p class="i2">The house where I, the maïdens guest,</p> +<p class="i2">At evenèn, woonce did zit at rest</p> +<p>By moonlight on the door.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Though till the dawn, where night's a-meäde</p> +<p class="i2">The day, the laughèn crowds be gaÿ,</p> +<p>Let evenèn zink wi' quiet sheäde,</p> +<p class="i2">Where I do hold my little swaÿ.</p> +<p>An' childern dear to my heart's core,</p> +<p class="i2">A-sleep wi' little heavèn breast,</p> +<p class="i2">That pank'd by day in plaÿ, do rest</p> +<p>Wi' moonlight on the door.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still 'tis good, woonce now an' then</p> +<p class="i2">To rove where moonlight on the land</p> +<p>Do show in vaïn, vor heedless men,</p> +<p class="i2">The road, the vield, the work in hand.</p> +<p>When curtains be a-hung avore</p> +<p class="i2">The glitt'rèn windows, snowy white,</p> +<p class="i2">An' vine-leaf sheädes do sheäke in light</p> +<p>O' moonlight on the door.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p331" id="p331"></a> + +<h4>MY LOVE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As in the cool-aïr'd road I come by,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night,</p> +<p>Under the moon-clim'd height o' the sky,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night,</p> +<p>There by the lime's broad lim's as I staÿ'd,</p> +<p>Dark in the moonlight, bough's sheädows plaÿ'd</p> +<p>Up on the window-glass that did keep</p> +<p>Lew vrom the wind, my true love asleep,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>While in the grey-wall'd height o' the tow'r,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night,</p><a name="page332" id="page332"></a><span class="left">[page 332]</span> +<p>Sounded the midnight bell wi' the hour,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night,</p> +<p>There lo! a bright-heäir'd angel that shed</p> +<p>Light vrom her white robe's zilvery thread,</p> +<p>Put her vore-vinger up vor to meäke</p> +<p>Silence around lest sleepers mid weäke,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night.</p> +<p>"Oh! then," I whisper'd, do I behold</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night.</p> +<p>Linda, my true-love, here in the cwold,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night?"</p> +<p>"No," she meäde answer, "you do misteäke:</p> +<p>She is asleep, but I that do weäke,</p> +<p>Here be on watch, an' angel a-blest,</p> +<p>Over her slumber while she do rest,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Zee how the winds, while here by the bough,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night,</p> +<p>They do pass on, don't smite on her brow,</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night;</p> +<p>Zee how the cloud-sheädes naïseless do zweep</p> +<p>Over the house-top where she's asleep.</p> +<p>You, too, goo by, in times that be near,</p> +<p>You too, as I, mid speak in her ear</p> +<p class="i22"> —in the night."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p332" id="p332"></a> + +<h4>LEEBURN MILL,</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ov all the meäds wi' shoals an' pools,</p> +<p>Where streams did sheäke the limber zedge,</p> +<p>An' milkèn vo'k did teäke their stools,</p> +<p>In evenèn zun-light under hedge:</p> +<p>Ov all the wears the brook did vill,</p> +<p>Or all the hatches where a sheet</p><a name="page333" id="page333"></a><span class="left">[page 333]</span> +<p>O' foam did leäp below woone's veet,</p> +<p>The pleäce vor me wer Leeburn Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while below the mossy wheel</p> +<p>All day the foamèn stream did roar,</p> +<p>An' up in mill the floatèn meal</p> +<p>Did pitch upon the sheäkèn vloor.</p> +<p>We then could vind but vew han's still,</p> +<p>Or veet a-restèn off the ground,</p> +<p>An' seldom hear the merry sound</p> +<p>O' geämes a-play'd at Leeburn Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when they let the stream goo free,</p> +<p>Bezide the drippèn wheel at rest,</p> +<p>An' leaves upon the poplar-tree</p> +<p>Wer dark avore the glowèn west;</p> +<p>An' when the clock, a-ringèn sh'ill,</p> +<p>Did slowly beät zome evenèn hour,</p> +<p>Oh! then 'ithin the leafy bow'r</p> +<p>Our tongues did run at Leeburn Mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when November's win' did blow,</p> +<p>Wi' hufflèn storms along the plaïn,</p> +<p>An' blacken'd leaves did lie below</p> +<p>The neäked tree, a-zoak'd wi' raïn,</p> +<p>I werden at a loss to vill</p> +<p>The darkest hour o' raïny skies,</p> +<p>If I did vind avore my eyes</p> +<p>The feäces down at Leeburn Mill.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p333" id="p333"></a> + +<h4>PRAISE O' DO'SET.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We Do'set, though we mid be hwomely,</p> +<p class="i2">Be'nt asheäm'd to own our pleäce;</p> +<p>An' we've zome women not uncomely;</p> +<p class="i2">Nor asheäm'd to show their feäce:</p><a name="page334" id="page334"></a><span class="left">[page 334]</span> +<p>We've a meäd or two wo'th mowèn,</p> +<p>We've an ox or two we'th showèn,</p> +<p class="i6">In the village,</p> +<p class="i6">At the tillage,</p> +<p>Come along an' you shall vind</p> +<p>That Do'set men don't sheäme their kind.</p> +<p class="i4">Friend an' wife,</p> +<p class="i4">Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,</p> +<p class="i4">Happy, happy, be their life!</p> +<p class="i4">Vor Do'set dear,</p> +<p class="i4">Then gi'e woone cheer;</p> +<p class="i4">D'ye hear? woone cheer!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you in Do'set be a-roamèn,</p> +<p class="i2">An' ha' business at a farm,</p> +<p>Then woont ye zee your eäle a-foamèn!</p> +<p class="i2">Or your cider down to warm?</p> +<p>Woont ye have brown bread a-put ye,</p> +<p>An' some vinny cheese a-cut ye?</p> +<p class="i6">Butter?—rolls o't!</p> +<p class="i6">Cream?—why bowls o't!</p> +<p>Woont ye have, in short, your vill,</p> +<p>A-gi'ed wi' a right good will?</p> +<p class="i4">Friend an' wife,</p> +<p class="i4">Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers.</p> +<p class="i4">Happy, happy, be their life!</p> +<p class="i4">Vor Do'set dear,</p> +<p class="i4">Then gi'e woone cheer;</p> +<p class="i4">D'ye hear? woone cheer!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' woont ye have vor ev'ry shillèn,</p> +<p class="i2">Shillèn's wo'th at any shop,</p> +<p>Though Do'set chaps be up to zellèn,</p> +<p class="i2">An' can meäke a tidy swop?</p> +<p>Use em well, they'll use you better;</p> +<p>In good turns they woont be debtor.</p><a name="page335" id="page335"></a><span class="left">[page 335]</span> +<p class="i6">An' so comely,</p> +<p class="i6">An' so hwomely,</p> +<p>Be the maïdens, if your son</p> +<p>Took woone o'm, then you'd cry "Well done!"</p> +<p class="i4">Friend an' wife,</p> +<p class="i4">Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,</p> +<p class="i4">Happy, happy, be their life!</p> +<p class="i4">Vor Do'set dear,</p> +<p class="i4">Then gi'e woone cheer;</p> +<p class="i4">D'ye hear? woone cheer!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you do zee our good men travel,</p> +<p class="i2">Down a-voot, or on their meäres,</p> +<p>Along the windèn leänes o' gravel,</p> +<p class="i2">To the markets or the feäirs,—</p> +<p>Though their ho'ses cwoats be ragged,</p> +<p>Though the men be muddy-laggèd,</p> +<p class="i6">Be they roughish,</p> +<p class="i6">Be they gruffish,</p> +<p>They be sound, an' they will stand</p> +<p>By what is right wi' heart an' hand.</p> +<p class="i4">Friend an' wife,</p> +<p class="i4">Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,</p> +<p class="i4">Happy, happy, be their life!</p> +<p class="i4">Vor Do'set dear,</p> +<p class="i4">Then gi'e woone cheer;</p> +<p class="i4">D'ye hear? woone cheer!</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /><br /><br /> + + <br /><hr /><br /><br /><br /> +<a name="page337" id="page337"></a><span class="left">[page 337]</span> + +<h1>POEMS OF RURAL LIFE.</h1> + +<br /><hr class="short" /><br /><br /> + +<h2>THIRD COLLECTION.</h2><br /><br /> + +<a name="page339" id="page339"></a><span class="left">[page 339]</span> + +<h4>WOONE SMILE MWORE</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O! Meäry, when the zun went down,</p> +<p class="i2">Woone night in Spring, wi' vi'ry rim,</p> +<p>Behind thik nap wi' woody crown,</p> +<p class="i2">An' left your smilèn feäce so dim;</p> +<p>Your little sister there, inside,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' bellows on her little knee,</p> +<p>Did blow the vier, a-glearèn wide</p> +<p class="i2">Drough window-peänes, that I could zee,—</p> +<p>As you did stan' wi' me, avore</p> +<p>The house, a-peärten,—woone smile mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The chatt'rèn birds, a-risèn high,</p> +<p class="i2">An' zinkèn low, did swiftly vlee</p> +<p>Vrom shrinkèn moss, a-growèn dry,</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the leänèn apple tree.</p> +<p>An' there the dog, a-whippèn wide</p> +<p class="i2">His heäiry taïl, an' comèn near,</p> +<p>Did fondly lay ageän your zide</p> +<p class="i2">His coal-black nose an' russet ear:</p> +<p>To win what I'd a-won avore,</p> +<p>Vrom your gaÿ feäce, his woone smile mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' while your mother bustled sprack,</p> +<p class="i2">A-gettèn supper out in hall,</p> +<p>An' cast her sheäde, a-whiv'rèn black</p> +<p class="i2">Avore the vier, upon the wall;</p> +<p>Your brother come, wi' easy peäce,</p> +<p class="i2">In drough the slammèn geäte, along</p><a name="page340" id="page340"></a><span class="left">[page 340]</span> +<p>The path, wi' healthy-bloomèn feäce,</p> +<p class="i2">A-whis'lèn shrill his last new zong;</p> +<p>An' when he come avore the door,</p> +<p>He met vrom you his woone smile mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now you that wer the daughter there,</p> +<p class="i2">Be mother on a husband's vloor,</p> +<p>An' mid ye meet wi' less o' ceäre</p> +<p class="i2">Than what your hearty mother bore;</p> +<p>An' if abroad I have to rue</p> +<p class="i2">The bitter tongue, or wrongvul deed,</p> +<p>Mid I come hwome to sheäre wi' you</p> +<p class="i2">What's needvul free o' pinchèn need:</p> +<p>An' vind that you ha' still in store,</p> +<p>My evenèn meal, an' woone smile mwore.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p340" id="p340"></a> + +<h4>THE ECHO.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>About the tow'r an' churchyard wall,</p> +<p class="i2">Out nearly overright our door,</p> +<p>A tongue ov wind did always call</p> +<p class="i2">Whatever we did call avore.</p> +<p>The vaïce did mock our neämes, our cheers,</p> +<p class="i2">Our merry laughs, our hands' loud claps,</p> +<p>An' mother's call "Come, come, my dears"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>my dears</i>;</p> +<p class="i2">Or "Do as I do bid, bad chaps"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>bad chaps</i>.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when o' Zundays on the green,</p> +<p class="i2">In frocks an' cwoats as gaÿ as new,</p> +<p>We walk'd wi' shoes a-meäde to sheen</p> +<p class="i2">So black an' bright's a vull-ripe slooe</p><a name="page341" id="page341"></a><span class="left">[page 341]</span> +<p>We then did hear the tongue ov aïr</p> +<p class="i2">A-mockèn mother's vaïce so thin,</p> +<p>"Come, now the bell do goo vor praÿ'r"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>vor pray'r</i>;</p> +<p>"'Tis time to goo to church; come in"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>come in</i>.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The night when little Anne, that died,</p> +<p class="i2">Begun to zickèn, back in Maÿ,</p> +<p>An' she, at dusk ov evenèn-tide,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer out wi' others at their plaÿ,</p> +<p>Within the churchyard that do keep</p> +<p class="i2">Her little bed, the vaïce o' thin</p> +<p>Dark aïr, mock'd mother's call "To sleep"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>to sleep</i>;</p> +<p>"'Tis bed time now, my love, come in"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>come in</i>.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when our Jeäne come out so smart</p> +<p class="i2">A-married, an' we help'd her in</p> +<p>To Henry's newly-païnted cart,</p> +<p class="i2">The while the wheels begun to spin,</p> +<p>An' her gaÿ nods, vor all she smil'd,</p> +<p class="i2">Did sheäke a tear-drop vrom each eye,</p> +<p>The vaïce mock'd mother's call, "Dear child"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>dear child</i>;</p> +<p class="i2">"God bless ye evermwore; good bye"</p> +<p class="i24"> —<i>good bye</i>.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p341" id="p341"></a> + +<h4>VULL A MAN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, I'm a man, I'm vull a man,</p> +<p>You beät my manhood, if you can.</p> +<p>You'll be a man if you can teäke</p> +<p>All steätes that household life do meäke.</p><a name="page342" id="page342"></a><span class="left">[page 342]</span> +<p>The love-toss'd child, a-croodlèn loud,</p> +<p class="i2">The bwoy a-screamèn wild in plaÿ,</p> +<p>The tall grown youth a-steppèn proud,</p> +<p class="i2">The father staïd, the house's staÿ.</p> +<p class="i4">No; I can boast if others can,</p> +<p class="i10">I'm vull a man.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A young-cheäk'd mother's tears mid vall,</p> +<p>When woone a-lost, not half man-tall,</p> +<p>Vrom little hand, a-called vrom plaÿ,</p> +<p>Do leäve noo tool, but drop a taÿ,</p> +<p>An' die avore he's father-free</p> +<p class="i2">To sheäpe his life by his own plan;</p> +<p>An' vull an angel he shall be,</p> +<p class="i2">But here on e'th not vull a man,</p> +<p class="i4">No; I could boast if others can,</p> +<p class="i10">I'm vull a man.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I woonce, a child, wer father-fed,</p> +<p>An' I've a vound my childern bread;</p> +<p>My eärm, a sister's trusty crook,</p> +<p>Is now a faïthvul wife's own hook;</p> +<p>An' I've a-gone where vo'k did zend,</p> +<p class="i2">An' gone upon my own free mind,</p> +<p>An' of'en at my own wits' end.</p> +<p class="i2">A-led o' God while I wer blind.</p> +<p class="i4">No; I could boast if others can</p> +<p class="i10">I'm vull a man.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' still, ov all my tweil ha' won,</p> +<p>My lovèn maïd an' merry son,</p> +<p>Though each in turn's a jaÿ an' ceäre,</p> +<p>'Ve a-had, an' still shall have, their sheäre:</p> +<p>An' then, if God should bless their lives,</p> +<p class="i2">Why I mid zend vrom son to son</p><a name="page343" id="page343"></a><span class="left">[page 343]</span> +<p>My life, right on drough men an' wives,</p> +<p class="i2">As long, good now, as time do run.</p> +<p class="i4">No; I could boast if others can,</p> +<p class="i10">I'm vull a man.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p343" id="p343"></a> + +<h4>NAIGHBOUR PLAŸMEÄTES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O jaÿ betide the dear wold mill,</p> +<p class="i2">My naïghbour plaÿmeätes' happy hwome,</p> +<p>Wi' rollèn wheel, an' leäpèn foam,</p> +<p class="i2">Below the overhangèn hill,</p> +<p class="i6">Where, wide an' slow,</p> +<p class="i6">The stream did flow,</p> +<p>An' flags did grow, an' lightly vlee</p> +<p>Below the grey-leav'd withy tree,</p> +<p>While clack, clack, clack, vrom hour to hour,</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn stwone, an' streamèn flour,</p> +<p>Did goo the mill by cloty Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there in geämes by evenèn skies,</p> +<p class="i2">When Meäry zot her down to rest,</p> +<p>The broach upon her pankèn breast,</p> +<p class="i2">Did quickly vall an' lightly rise,</p> +<p class="i6">While swans did zwim</p> +<p class="i6">In steätely trim.</p> +<p>An' swifts did skim the water, bright</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn froth, in western light;</p> +<p>An' clack, clack, clack, that happy hour,</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn stwone, an' streamèn flour,</p> +<p>Did goo the mill by cloty Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now mortery jeints, in streaks o' white,</p> +<p class="i2">Along the geärdèn wall do show</p> +<p>In Maÿ, an' cherry boughs do blow,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' bloomèn tutties, snowy white,</p><a name="page344" id="page344"></a><span class="left">[page 344]</span> +<p class="i6">Where rollèn round,</p> +<p class="i6">Wi' rumblèn sound,</p> +<p>The wheel woonce drown'd the vaïce so dear</p> +<p>To me. I faïn would goo to hear</p> +<p>The clack, clack, clack, vor woone short hour,</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn stwone, an' streamèn flour,</p> +<p>Bezide the mill on cloty Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But should I vind a-heavèn now</p> +<p class="i2">Her breast wi' aïr o' thik dear pleäce?</p> +<p>Or zee dark locks by such a brow,</p> +<p class="i2">Or het o' plaÿ on such a feäce?</p> +<p class="i6">No! She's now staïd,</p> +<p class="i6">An' where she plaÿ'd,</p> +<p>There's noo such maïd that now ha' took</p> +<p>The pleäce that she ha' long vorsook,</p> +<p>Though clack, clack, clack, vrom hour to hour,</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn stwone an' streamèn flour,</p> +<p>Do goo the mill by cloty Stour.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' still the pulley rwope do heist</p> +<p class="i2">The wheat vrom red-wheeled waggon beds.</p> +<p>An' ho'ses there wi' lwoads of grist,</p> +<p class="i2">Do stand an' toss their heavy heads;</p> +<p class="i6">But on the vloor,</p> +<p class="i6">Or at the door,</p> +<p>Do show noo mwore the kindly feäce</p> +<p>Her father show'd about the pleäce,</p> +<p>As clack, clack, clack, vrom hour to hour,</p> +<p>Wi' whirlèn stwone, an' streamèn flour,</p> +<p>Did goo his mill by cloty Stour.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page345" id="page345"></a><span class="left">[page 345]</span> + +<h4>THE LARK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I, below the mornèn sky,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer out a workèn in the lew</p> +<p>O' black-stemm'd thorns, a-springèn high,</p> +<p class="i2">Avore the worold-boundèn blue,</p> +<p>A-reäkèn, under woak tree boughs,</p> +<p>The orts a-left behin' by cows.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above the grey-grow'd thistle rings,</p> +<p class="i2">An' deäisy-buds, the lark, in flight,</p> +<p>Did zing a-loft, wi' flappèn wings,</p> +<p class="i2">Tho' mwore in heärèn than in zight;</p> +<p>The while my bwoys, in plaÿvul me'th,</p> +<p>Did run till they wer out o' breath.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then woone, wi' han'-besheäded eyes,</p> +<p class="i2">A-stoppèn still, as he did run,</p> +<p>Look'd up to zee the lark arise</p> +<p class="i2">A-zingèn to the high-gone zun;</p> +<p>The while his brother look'd below</p> +<p>Vor what the groun' mid have to show</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo woone did watch above his head</p> +<p class="i2">The bird his hands could never teäke;</p> +<p>An' woone, below, where he did tread,</p> +<p class="i2">Vound out the nest within the breäke;</p> +<p>But, aggs be only woonce a-vound,</p> +<p>An' uncaught larks ageän mid sound.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p345" id="p345"></a> + +<h4>THE TWO CHURCHES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A happy day, a happy year.</p> +<p>A zummer Zunday, dazzlèn clear,</p> +<p>I went athirt vrom Lea to Noke.</p> +<p>To goo to church wi' Fanny's vo'k:</p><a name="page346" id="page346"></a><span class="left">[page 346]</span> +<p>The sky o' blue did only show</p> +<p>A cloud or two, so white as snow,</p> +<p>An' aïr did swaÿ, wi' softest strokes,</p> +<p>The eltrot roun' the dark-bough'd woaks.</p> +<p>O day o' rest when bells do toll!</p> +<p>O day a-blest to ev'ry soul!</p> +<p>How sweet the zwells o' Zunday bells.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' on the cowslip-knap at Creech,</p> +<p>Below the grove o' steätely beech,</p> +<p>I heärd two tow'rs a-cheemèn clear,</p> +<p>Vrom woone I went, to woone drew near,</p> +<p>As they did call, by flow'ry ground,</p> +<p>The bright-shod veet vrom housen round,</p> +<p>A-drownèn wi' their holy call,</p> +<p>The goocoo an' the water-vall.</p> +<p>Die off, O bells o' my dear pleäce,</p> +<p>Ring out, O bells avore my feäce,</p> +<p>Vull sweet your zwells, O ding-dong bells.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! then vor things that time did bring</p> +<p>My kinsvo'k, <i>Lea</i> had bells to ring;</p> +<p>An' then, ageän, vor what bevell</p> +<p>My wife's, why <i>Noke</i> church had a bell;</p> +<p>But soon wi' hopevul lives a-bound</p> +<p>In woone, we had woone tower's sound,</p> +<p>Vor our high jaÿs all vive bells rung</p> +<p>Our losses had woone iron tongue.</p> +<p>Oh! ring all round, an' never mwoän</p> +<p>So deep an' slow woone bell alwone,</p> +<p>Vor sweet your swells o' vive clear bells.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page347" id="page347"></a><span class="left">[page 347]</span> + +<h4>WOAK HILL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When sycamore leaves wer a-spreadèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Green-ruddy, in hedges,</p> +<p>Bezide the red doust o' the ridges,</p> +<p class="i8">A-dried at Woak Hill;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I packed up my goods all a-sheenèn</p> +<p class="i8">Wi' long years o' handlèn,</p> +<p>On dousty red wheels ov a waggon,</p> +<p class="i8">To ride at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The brown thatchen ruf o' the dwellèn,</p> +<p class="i8">I then wer a-leävèn,</p> +<p>Had shelter'd the sleek head o' Meäry,</p> +<p class="i8">My bride at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now vor zome years, her light voot-vall</p> +<p class="i8">'S a-lost vrom the vloorèn.</p> +<p>Too soon vor my jaÿ an' my childern,</p> +<p class="i8">She died at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But still I do think that, in soul,</p> +<p class="i8">She do hover about us;</p> +<p>To ho vor her motherless childern,</p> +<p class="i8">Her pride at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo—lest she should tell me hereafter</p> +<p class="i8">I stole off 'ithout her,</p> +<p>An' left her, uncall'd at house-riddèn,</p> +<p class="i8">To bide at Woak Hill—</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I call'd her so fondly, wi' lippèns</p> +<p class="i8">All soundless to others,</p> +<p>An' took her wi' aïr-reachèn hand,</p> +<p class="i8">To my zide at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<a name="page348" id="page348"></a><span class="left">[page 348]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>On the road I did look round, a-talkèn</p> +<p class="i8">To light at my shoulder,</p> +<p>An' then led her in at the door-way,</p> +<p class="i8">Miles wide vrom Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' that's why vo'k thought, vor a season,</p> +<p class="i8">My mind wer a-wandrèn</p> +<p>Wi' sorrow, when I wer so sorely</p> +<p class="i8">A-tried at Woak Hill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But no; that my Meäry mid never</p> +<p class="i8">Behold herzelf slighted,</p> +<p>I wanted to think that I guided</p> +<p class="i8">My guide vrom Woak Hill.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p348" id="p348"></a> + +<h4>THE HEDGER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Upon the hedge theäse bank did bear,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' lwonesome thought untwold in words,</p> +<p>I woonce did work, wi' noo sound there</p> +<p class="i2">But my own strokes, an' chirpèn birds;</p> +<p>As down the west the zun went wan,</p> +<p>An' days brought on our Zunday's rest,</p> +<p>When sounds o' cheemèn bells did vill</p> +<p>The aïr, an' hook an' axe wer stïll.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Along the wold town-path vo'k went,</p> +<p class="i2">An' met unknown, or friend wi' friend,</p> +<p>The maïd her busy mother zent,</p> +<p class="i2">The mother wi' noo maïd to zend;</p> +<p>An' in the light the gleäzier's glass,</p> +<p>As he did pass, wer dazzlèn bright,</p> +<p>Or woone went by wï' down-cast head,</p> +<p>A wrapp'd in blackness vor the dead.</p></div> +<a name="page349" id="page349"></a><span class="left">[page 349]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the bank, wi' risèn back,</p> +<p class="i2">That's now a-most a-troddèn down,</p> +<p>Bore thorns wi' rind o' sheeny black,</p> +<p class="i2">An' meäple stems o' ribby brown;</p> +<p>An' in the lewth o' theäse tree heads,</p> +<p>Wer primrwose beds a-sprung in blooth,</p> +<p>An' here a geäte, a-slammèn to,</p> +<p>Did let the slow-wheel'd plough roll drough.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ov all that then went by, but vew</p> +<p class="i2">Be now a-left behine', to beät</p> +<p>The mornèn flow'rs or evenèn dew,</p> +<p class="i2">Or slam the woakèn vive-bar'd geäte;</p> +<p>But woone, my wife, so litty-stepp'd,</p> +<p>That have a-kept my path o' life,</p> +<p>Wi' her vew errands on the road,</p> +<p>Where woonce she bore her mother's lwoad.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p349" id="p349"></a> + +<h4>IN THE SPRING.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My love is the maïd ov all maïdens,</p> +<p class="i2">Though all mid be comely,</p> +<p>Her skin's lik' the jessamy blossom</p> +<p class="i2">A-spread in the Spring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her smile is so sweet as a beäby's</p> +<p class="i2">Young smile on his mother,</p> +<p>Her eyes be as bright as the dew drop</p> +<p class="i2">A-shed in the Spring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O grey-leafy pinks o' the geärden,</p> +<p class="i2">Now bear her sweet blossoms;</p> +<p>Now deck wi' a rwose-bud, O briar.</p> +<p class="i2">Her head in the Spring.</p></div> +<a name="page350" id="page350"></a><span class="left">[page 350]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O light-rollèn wind blow me hither,</p> +<p class="i2">The väice ov her talkèn,</p> +<p>Or bring vrom her veet the light doust,</p> +<p class="i2">She do tread in the Spring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O zun, meäke the gil'cups all glitter,</p> +<p class="i2">In goold all around her;</p> +<p>An' meäke o' the deäisys' white flowers</p> +<p class="i2">A bed in the Spring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O whissle gaÿ birds, up bezide her,</p> +<p class="i2">In drong-waÿ, an' woodlands,</p> +<p>O zing, swingèn lark, now the clouds,</p> +<p class="i2">Be a-vled in the Spring.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' who, you mid ax, be my praïses</p> +<p class="i2">A-meäkèn so much o',</p> +<p>An' oh! 'tis the maïd I'm a-hopèn</p> +<p class="i2">To wed in the Spring.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p350" id="p350"></a> + +<h4>THE FLOOD IN SPRING.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Last night below the elem in the lew</p> +<p class="i4">Bright the sky did gleam</p> +<p>On water blue, while aïr did softly blow</p> +<p class="i4">On the flowèn stream,</p> +<p>An' there wer gil'cups' buds untwold,</p> +<p>An' deäisies that begun to vwold</p> +<p>Their low-stemm'd blossoms vrom my zight</p> +<p>Ageän the night, an' evenèn's cwold.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But, oh! so cwold below the darksome cloud</p> +<p class="i4">Soon the night-wind roar'd,</p> +<p>Wi' raïny storms that zent the zwollèn streams</p> +<p class="i4">Over ev'ry vword.</p><a name="page351" id="page351"></a><span class="left">[page 351]</span> +<p>The while the drippèn tow'r did tell</p> +<p>The hour, wi' storm-be-smother'd bell,</p> +<p>An' over ev'ry flower's bud</p> +<p>Roll'd on the flood, 'ithin the dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when the zun arose, an' lik' a rwose</p> +<p class="i4">Shone the mornèn sky;</p> +<p>An' roun' the woak, the wind a-blowèn weak,</p> +<p class="i4">Softly whiver'd by.</p> +<p>Though drown'd wer still the deaïsy bed</p> +<p>Below the flood, its feäce instead</p> +<p>O' flow'ry grown', below our shoes</p> +<p>Show'd feäirest views o' skies o'er head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo to try if all our faïth is true</p> +<p class="i4">Jaÿ mid end in tears,</p> +<p>An' hope, woonce feäir, mid saddèn into fear,</p> +<p class="i4">Here in e'thly years.</p> +<p>But He that tried our soul do know</p> +<p>To meäke us good amends, an' show</p> +<p>Instead o' things a-took awaÿ,</p> +<p>Some higher jaÿ that He'll bestow.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p351" id="p351"></a> + +<h4>COMEN HWOME</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As clouds did ride wi' heästy flight.</p> +<p>An' woods did swäy upon the height,</p> +<p>An' bleädes o' grass did sheäke, below</p> +<p>The hedge-row bremble's swingèn bow,</p> +<p>I come back hwome where winds did zwell,</p> +<p class="i2">In whirls along the woody gleädes,</p> +<p class="i2">On primrwose beds, in windy sheädes,</p> +<p>To Burnley's dark-tree'd dell.</p></div> +<a name="page352" id="page352"></a><span class="left">[page 352]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There hills do screen the timber's bough,</p> +<p>The trees do screen the leäze's brow,</p> +<p>The timber-sheäded leäze do bear</p> +<p>A beäten path that we do wear.</p> +<p>The path do stripe the leäze's zide,</p> +<p class="i2">To willows at the river's edge.</p> +<p class="i2">Where hufflèn winds did sheäke the zedge</p> +<p>An' sparklèn weäves did glide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' where the river, bend by bend,</p> +<p>Do dräin our meäd, an' mark its end,</p> +<p>The hangèn leäze do teäke our cows,</p> +<p>An' trees do sheäde em wi' their boughs,</p> +<p>An' I the quicker beät the road,</p> +<p class="i2">To zee a-comèn into view,</p> +<p class="i2">Still greener vrom the sky-line's blue,</p> +<p>Wold Burnley our abode.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p352" id="p352"></a> + +<h4>GRAMMER A-CRIPPLED.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"The zunny copse ha' birds to zing,</p> +<p class="i2">The leäze ha' cows to low,</p> +<p>The elem trees ha' rooks on wing,</p> +<p class="i2">The meäds a brook to flow,</p> +<p>But I can walk noo mwore, to pass</p> +<p class="i2">The drashel out abrode,</p> +<p>To wear a path in theäse year's grass</p> +<p class="i2">Or tread the wheelworn road,"</p> +<p>Cried Grammer, "then adieu,</p> +<p class="i4">O runnèn brooks,</p> +<p class="i4">An' vleèn rooks,</p> +<p>I can't come out to you.</p> +<p>If 'tis God's will, why then 'tis well,</p> +<p>That I should bide 'ithin a wall."</p></div> +<a name="page353" id="page353"></a><span class="left">[page 353]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then the childern, wild wi' fun,</p> +<p class="i2">An' loud wi' jaÿvul sounds,</p> +<p>Sprung in an' cried, "We had a run,</p> +<p class="i2">A-plaÿèn heäre an' hounds;</p> +<p>But oh! the cowslips where we stopt</p> +<p class="i2">In Maÿcreech, on the knap!"</p> +<p>An' vrom their little han's each dropt</p> +<p class="i2">Some cowslips in her lap.</p> +<p>Cried Grammer, "Only zee!</p> +<p class="i4">I can't teäke strolls,</p> +<p class="i4">An' little souls</p> +<p>Would bring the vields to me.</p> +<p>Since 'tis God's will, an' mus' be well</p> +<p>That I should bide 'ithin a wall."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Oh! there be prison walls to hold</p> +<p class="i2">The han's o' lawless crimes,</p> +<p>An' there be walls arear'd vor wold</p> +<p class="i2">An' zick in tryèn times;</p> +<p>But oh! though low mid slant my ruf,</p> +<p class="i2">Though hard my lot mid be,</p> +<p>Though dry mid come my daily lwoaf,</p> +<p class="i2">Mid mercy leäve me free!"</p> +<p>Cried Grammer, "Or adieu</p> +<p class="i4">To jaÿ; O grounds,</p> +<p class="i4">An' bird's gaÿ sounds</p> +<p>If I mus' gi'e up you,</p> +<p>Although 'tis well, in God's good will,</p> +<p>That I should bide 'ithin a wall."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Oh! then," we answer'd, "never fret,</p> +<p class="i2">If we shall be a-blest,</p> +<p>We'll work vull hard drough het an' wet</p> +<p class="i2">To keep your heart at rest:</p> +<p>To woaken chair's vor you to vill,</p> +<p class="i2">For you shall glow the coal,</p><a name="page354" id="page354"></a><span class="left">[page 354]</span> +<p>An' when the win' do whissle sh'ill</p> +<p class="i2">We'll screen it vrom your poll."</p> +<p>Cried Grammer, "God is true.</p> +<p class="i4">I can't but feel</p> +<p class="i4">He smote to heal</p> +<p>My wounded heart in you;</p> +<p>An' zoo 'tis well, if 'tis His will,</p> +<p>That I be here 'ithin a wall."</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p354" id="p354"></a> + +<h4>THE CASTLE RUINS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A happy day at Whitsuntide,</p> +<p class="i2">As soon's the zun begun to vall,</p> +<p>We all stroll'd up the steep hill-zide</p> +<p class="i2">To Meldon, girt an' small;</p> +<p>Out where the castle wall stood high</p> +<p>A-mwoldrèn to the zunny sky.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there wi' Jenny took a stroll</p> +<p class="i2">Her youngest sister, Poll, so gaÿ,</p> +<p>Bezide John Hind, ah! merry soul,</p> +<p class="i2">An' mid her wedlock faÿ;</p> +<p>An' at our zides did play an' run</p> +<p>My little maïd an' smaller son.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above the beäten mwold upsprung</p> +<p class="i2">The driven doust, a-spreadën light,</p> +<p>An' on the new-leav'd thorn, a-hung,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer wool a-quiv'rèn white;</p> +<p>An' corn, a sheenèn bright, did bow,</p> +<p>On slopèn Meldon's zunny brow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, down the rufless wall did glow</p> +<p class="i2">The zun upon the grassy vloor,</p> +<p>An' weakly-wandrèn winds did blow,</p> +<p class="i2">Unhinder'd by a door;</p><a name="page355" id="page355"></a><span class="left">[page 355]</span> +<p>An' smokeless now avore the zun</p> +<p>Did stan' the ivy-girded tun.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My bwoy did watch the daws' bright wings</p> +<p class="i2">A-flappèn vrom their ivy bow'rs;</p> +<p>My wife did watch my maïd's light springs,</p> +<p class="i2">Out here an' there vor flow'rs;</p> +<p>And John did zee noo tow'rs, the pleäce</p> +<p>Vor him had only Polly's feäce.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, of all that pried about</p> +<p class="i2">The walls, I overlook'd em best,</p> +<p>An' what o' that? Why, I meäde out</p> +<p class="i2">Noo mwore than all the rest:</p> +<p>That there wer woonce the nest of zome</p> +<p>That wer a-gone avore we come.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When woonce above the tun the smoke</p> +<p class="i2">Did wreathy blue among the trees,</p> +<p>An' down below, the livèn vo'k,</p> +<p class="i2">Did tweil as brisk as bees;</p> +<p>Or zit wi' weary knees, the while</p> +<p>The sky wer lightless to their tweil.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<hr /><br /><br /> + +<a name="p355" id="p355"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>JOHN, JEALOUS AT SHROTON FEÄIR.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Jeäne; her Brother; John, her Sweetheart; and Racketèn Joe</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>I'm thankvul I be out o' that</p> +<p>Thick crowd, an' not asquot quite flat.</p> +<p>That ever we should plunge in where the vo'k do drunge</p> +<p>So tight's the cheese-wring on the veät!</p><a name="page356" id="page356"></a><span class="left">[page 356]</span> +<p>I've sca'ce a thing a-left in pleäce.</p> +<p>'Tis all a-tore vrom pin an' leäce.</p> +<p>My bonnet's like a wad, a-beät up to a dod,</p> +<p>An' all my heäir's about my feäce.</p> + </div> +</div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Here, come an' zit out here a bit,</p> +<p>An' put yourzelf to rights.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>No, Jeäne; no, no! Now you don't show</p> +<p>The very wo'st o' plights.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, come, there's little harm adone;</p> +<p>Your hoops be out so roun's the zun.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there's your bonnet back in sheäpe.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there's your pin, and there's your ceäpe.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there your curls do match, an' there</p> +<p>'S the vittiest maïd in all the feäir.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Now look, an' tell us who's a-spied</p> +<p>Vrom Sturminster, or Manston zide.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>There's rantèn Joe! How he do stalk,</p> +<p>An' zwang his whip, an' laugh, an' talk!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' how his head do wag, avore his steppèn lag.</p> +<p>Jist like a pigeon's in a walk!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Heigh! there, then, Joey, ben't we proud</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page357" id="page357"></a><span class="left">[page 357]</span> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>He can't hear you among the crowd.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, no, the thunder peals do drown the sound o' wheels.</p> +<p>His own pipe is a-pitched too loud.</p> +<p>What, you here too?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i18"> Yes, Sir, to you.</p> +<p>All o' me that's a-left.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>A body plump's a goodish lump</p> +<p>Where reämes ha' such a heft.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Who lost his crown a-racèn?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i22"> Who?</p> +<p>Zome silly chap abackèn you.</p> +<p>Well, now, an' how do vo'k treat Jeäne?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Why not wi' feärèns.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i16"> What d'ye meän,</p> +<p>When I've a-brought ye such a bunch</p> +<p>O' theäse nice ginger-nuts to crunch?</p> +<p>An' here, John, here! you teäke a vew.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>No, keep em all vor Jeäne an' you!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, Jeäne, an' when d'ye meän to come</p> +<p>An' call on me, then, up at hwome.</p> +<p>You han't a-come athirt, since I'd my voot a-hurt,</p> +<p>A-slippèn vrom the tree I clomb.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> + +<a name="page358" id="page358"></a><span class="left">[page 358]</span> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, if so be that you be stout</p> +<p>On voot ageän, you'll vind me out.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, better chaps woont goo, not many steps vor you,</p> +<p>If you do hawk yourzelf about.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Wull John, come too?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i20"> No, thanks to you.</p> +<p>Two's company, dree's nwone.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HER BROTHER.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>There don't be stung by his mad tongue,</p> +<p>'Tis nothèn else but fun.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>There, what d'ye think o' my new ceäpe?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Why, think that 'tis an ugly sheäpe.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Then you should buy me, now theäse feäir,</p> +<p>A mwore becomèn woone to wear.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>I buy your ceäpe! No; Joe wull screäpe</p> +<p>Up dibs enough to buy your ceäpe.</p> +<p>As things do look, to meäke you fine</p> +<p>Is long Joe's business mwore than mine.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JEÄNE.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Lauk, John, the mwore that you do pout</p> +<p>The mwore he'll glēne.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i26"> A yelpèn lout.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> +<a name="page359" id="page359"></a><span class="left">[page 359]</span> + +<h4>EARLY PLAŸMEÄTE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>After many long years had a-run,</p> +<p class="i2">The while I wer a-gone vrom the pleäce,</p> +<p>I come back to the vields, where the zun</p> +<p class="i2">Ov her childhood did show me her feäce.</p> +<p>There her father, years wolder, did stoop.</p> +<p class="i2">An' her brother, wer now a-grow'd staïd,</p> +<p>An' the apple tree lower did droop.</p> +<p class="i2">Out in the orcha'd where we had a-plaÿ'd,</p> +<p>There wer zome things a-seemèn the seäme,</p> +<p class="i2">But Meäry's a-married awaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There wer two little childern a-zent,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' a message to me, oh! so feaïr</p> +<p>As the mother that they did zoo ment,</p> +<p class="i2">When in childhood she plaÿ'd wi' me there.</p> +<p>Zoo they twold me that if I would come</p> +<p class="i2">Down to Coomb, I should zee a wold friend,</p> +<p>Vor a plaÿmeäte o' mine wer at hwome,</p> +<p class="i2">An' would staÿ till another week's end.</p> +<p>At the dear pworchèd door, could I dare</p> +<p class="i2">To zee Meäry a-married awaÿ!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>On the flower-not, now all a-trod</p> +<p class="i2">Stwony hard, the green grass wer a-spread,</p> +<p>An' the long-slighted woodbine did nod</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom the wall, wi' a loose-hangèn head.</p> +<p>An' the martin's clay nest wer a-hung</p> +<p class="i2">Up below the brown oves, in the dry,</p> +<p>An' the rooks had a-rock'd broods o' young</p> +<p class="i2">On the elems below the Maÿ sky;</p> +<p>But the bud on the bed, coulden bide,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' young Meäry a-married awaÿ.</p></div> +<a name="page360" id="page360"></a><span class="left">[page 360]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the copse-wood, a-grow'd to a height,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-vell'd, an' the primrwose in blooth,</p> +<p>Among chips on the ground a-turn'd white,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-quiv'rèn, all beäre ov his lewth.</p> +<p>The green moss wer a-spread on the thatch,</p> +<p class="i2">That I left yollow reed, an' avore</p> +<p>The small green, there did swing a new hatch,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to let me walk into the door.</p> +<p>Oh! the rook did still rock o'er the rick,</p> +<p class="i2">But wi' Meäry a-married awaÿ.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p360" id="p360"></a> + +<h4>PICKEN O' SCROFF.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! the wood wer a-vell'd in the copse,</p> +<p class="i2">An' the moss-bedded primrwose did blow;</p> +<p>An' vrom tall-stemmèd trees' leafless tops,</p> +<p class="i2">There did lie but slight sheädes down below.</p> +<p>An' the sky wer a-showèn, in drough</p> +<p>By the tree-stems, the deepest o' blue,</p> +<p>Wi' a light that did vall on an' off</p> +<p>The dry ground, a-strew'd over wi' scroff.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the hedge that wer leätely so high,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-plush'd, an' along by the zide,</p> +<p>Where the waggon 'd a-haul'd the wood by,</p> +<p class="i2">There did reach the deep wheelrouts, a-dried.</p> +<p>An' the groun' wi' the sticks wer bespread,</p> +<p>Zome a-cut off alive, an' zome dead.</p> +<p>An' vor burnèn, well wo'th reäkèn off,</p> +<p>By the childern a-pickèn o' scroff.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In the tree-studded leäze, where the woak</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-spreadèn his head out around,</p> +<p>There the scrags that the wind had a-broke,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-lyèn about on the ground</p><a name="page361" id="page361"></a><span class="left">[page 361]</span> +<p>Or the childern, wi' little red hands,</p> +<p>Wer a-tyèn em up in their bands;</p> +<p>Vor noo squier or farmer turn'd off</p> +<p>Little childern a-pickèn o' scroff.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There wer woone bloomèn child wi' a cloak</p> +<p class="i2">On her shoulders, as green as the ground;</p> +<p>An' another, as gray as the woak,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' a bwoy in a brown frock, a-brown'd.</p> +<p>An' woone got up, in plaÿ, vor to taït,</p> +<p>On a woak-limb, a-growèn out straïght.</p> +<p>But she soon wer a-taïted down off,</p> +<p>By her meätes out a-pickèn o' scroff.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When they childern do grow to staïd vo'k,</p> +<p class="i2">An' goo out in the worold, all wide</p> +<p>Vrom the copse, an' the zummerleäze woak,</p> +<p class="i2">Where at last all their elders ha' died,</p> +<p>They wull then vind it touchèn to bring,</p> +<p>To their minds, the sweet springs o' their spring,</p> +<p>Back avore the new vo'k did turn off</p> +<p>The poor childern a-pickèn o' scroff.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p361" id="p361"></a> + +<h4>GOOD NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>While down the meäds wound slow,</p> +<p class="i2">Water vor green-wheel'd mills,</p> +<p>Over the streams bright bow,</p> +<p class="i2">Win' come vrom dark-back'd hills.</p> +<p>Birds on the win' shot along down steep</p> +<p>Slopes, wi' a swift-swung zweep.</p> +<p>Dim weän'd the red streak'd west</p> +<p>Lim'-weary souls "Good rest."</p></div><a name="page362" id="page362"></a><span class="left">[page 362]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Up on the plough'd hill brow,</p> +<p class="i2">Still wer the zull's wheel'd beam,</p> +<p>Still wer the red-wheel'd plough,</p> +<p class="i2">Free o' the strong limb'd team,</p> +<p>Still wer the shop that the smith meäde ring,</p> +<p>Dark where the sparks did spring;</p> +<p>Low shot the zun's last beams.</p> +<p>Lim'-weary souls "Good dreams."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where I vrom dark bank-sheädes</p> +<p class="i2">Turn'd up the west hill road,</p> +<p>Where all the green grass bleädes</p> +<p class="i2">Under the zunlight glow'd.</p> +<p>Startled I met, as the zunbeams play'd</p> +<p>Light, wi' a zunsmote maïd,</p> +<p>Come vor my day's last zight,</p> +<p>Zun-brighten'd maïd "Good night."</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p362" id="p362"></a> + +<h4>WENT HWOME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Upon the slope, the hedge did bound</p> +<p>The yield wi' blossom-whited zide,</p> +<p>An' charlock patches, yollow-dyed,</p> +<p>Did reach along the white-soil'd ground,</p> +<p>An' vo'k, a-comèn up vrom meäd,</p> +<p class="i2">Brought gil'cup meal upon the shoe;</p> +<p>Or went on where the road did leäd,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' smeechy doust from heel to tooe.</p> +<p>As noon did smite, wi' burnèn light,</p> +<p>The road so white, to Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I did tramp the zun-dried ground,</p> +<p>By hedge-climb'd hills, a-spread wi' flow'rs,</p> +<p>An' watershootèn dells, an' tow'rs,</p> +<p>By elem-trees a-hemm'd all round,</p><a name="page363" id="page363"></a><span class="left">[page 363]</span> +<p>To zee a vew wold friends, about</p> +<p class="i2">Wold Meldon, where I still ha' zome,</p> +<p>That bid me speed as I come out,</p> +<p class="i2">An' now ha' bid me welcome hwome,</p> +<p>As I did goo, while skies wer blue,</p> +<p>Vrom view to view, to Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there wer timber'd knaps, that show'd</p> +<p>Cool sheädes, vor rest, on grassy ground,</p> +<p>An' thatch-brow'd windows, flower-bound,</p> +<p>Where I could wish wer my abode.</p> +<p>I pass'd the maïd avore the spring,</p> +<p class="i2">An' shepherd by the thornèn tree;</p> +<p>An' heärd the merry dréver zing,</p> +<p class="i2">But met noo kith or kin to me,</p> +<p>Till I come down, vrom Meldon's crown</p> +<p>To rufs o' brown, at Meldonley.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p363" id="p363"></a> + +<h4>THE HOLLOW WOAK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The woaken tree, so hollow now,</p> +<p class="i2">To souls ov other times wer sound,</p> +<p>An' reach'd on ev'ry zide a bough</p> +<p class="i2">Above their heads, a-gather'd round,</p> +<p class="i8">But zome light veet</p> +<p class="i8">That here did meet</p> +<p>In friendship sweet, vor rest or jaÿ,</p> +<p>Shall be a-miss'd another Maÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My childern here, in plaÿvul pride</p> +<p class="i2">Did zit 'ithin his wooden walls,</p> +<p>A-mentèn steätely vo'k inside</p> +<p class="i2">O' castle towers an' lofty halls.</p> +<p class="i8">But now the vloor</p> +<p class="i8">An' mossy door</p><a name="page364" id="page364"></a><span class="left">[page 364]</span> +<p>That woonce they wore would be too small</p> +<p>To teäke em in, so big an' tall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Theäse year do show, wi' snow-white cloud,</p> +<p class="i2">An' deäsies in a sprinkled bed,</p> +<p>An' green-bough birds a-whislèn loud,</p> +<p class="i2">The looks o' zummer days a-vled;</p> +<p class="i8">An' grass do grow,</p> +<p class="i8">An' men do mow,</p> +<p>An' all do show the wold times' feäce</p> +<p>Wi' new things in the wold things' pleäce.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p364" id="p364"></a> + +<h4>CHILDERN'S CHILDERN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! if my ling'rèn life should run,</p> +<p class="i2">Drough years a-reckoned ten by ten,</p> +<p>Below the never-tirèn zun,</p> +<p class="i2">Till beäbes ageän be wives an' men;</p> +<p>An' stillest deafness should ha' bound</p> +<p>My ears, at last, vrom ev'ry sound;</p> +<p>Though still my eyes in that sweet light,</p> +<p>Should have the zight o' sky an' ground:</p> +<p class="i6">Would then my steäte</p> +<p class="i6">In time so leäte,</p> +<p>Be jaÿ or païn, be païn or jaÿ?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When Zunday then, a-weänèn dim,</p> +<p class="i2">As theäse that now's a-clwosèn still,</p> +<p>Mid lose the zun's down-zinkèn rim,</p> +<p class="i2">In light behind the vier-bound hill;</p> +<p>An' when the bells' last peal's a-rung,</p> +<p>An' I mid zee the wold an' young</p> +<p>A-vlockèn by, but shoulden hear,</p> +<p>However near, a voot or tongue:</p><a name="page365" id="page365"></a><span class="left">[page 365]</span> +<p class="i6">Mid zuch a zight,</p> +<p class="i6">In that soft light</p> +<p>Be jaÿ or païn, be païn or jaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If I should zee among em all,</p> +<p class="i2">In merry youth, a-glidèn by,</p> +<p>My son's bwold son, a-grown man-tall,</p> +<p class="i2">Or daughter's daughter, woman-high;</p> +<p>An' she mid smile wi' your good feäce,</p> +<p>Or she mid walk your comely peäce,</p> +<p>But seem, although a-chattèn loud,</p> +<p>So dumb's a cloud, in that bright pleäce:</p> +<p class="i6">Would youth so feäir,</p> +<p class="i6">A-passèn there,</p> +<p>Be jaÿ or païn, be païn or jaÿ.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis seldom strangth or comeliness</p> +<p class="i2">Do leäve us long. The house do show</p> +<p>Men's sons wi' mwore, as they ha' less,</p> +<p class="i2">An' daughters brisk, vor mothers slow.</p> +<p>A dawn do clear the night's dim sky,</p> +<p>Woone star do zink, an' woone goo high,</p> +<p>An' livèn gifts o' youth do vall,</p> +<p>Vrom girt to small, but never die:</p> +<p class="i6">An' should I view,</p> +<p class="i6">What God mid do,</p> +<p>Wi' jaÿ or païn, wi' païn or jaÿ?</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p365" id="p365"></a> + +<h4>THE RWOSE IN THE DARK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In zummer, leäte at evenèn tide,</p> +<p class="i2">I zot to spend a moonless hour</p> +<p>'Ithin the window, wi' the zide</p> +<p class="i2">A-bound wi' rwoses out in flow'r,</p> +<p>Bezide the bow'r, vorsook o' birds,</p> +<p>An' listen'd to my true-love's words.</p></div> +<a name="page366" id="page366"></a><span class="left">[page 366]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A-risèn to her comely height,</p> +<p class="i2">She push'd the swingèn ceäsement round;</p> +<p>And I could hear, beyond my zight,</p> +<p class="i2">The win'-blow'd beech-tree softly sound,</p> +<p>On higher ground, a-swayèn slow,</p> +<p>On drough my happy hour below.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' tho' the darkness then did hide</p> +<p class="i2">The dewy rwose's blushèn bloom,</p> +<p>He still did cast sweet aïr inside</p> +<p class="i2">To Jeäne, a-chattèn in the room;</p> +<p>An' though the gloom did hide her feäce,</p> +<p>Her words did bind me to the pleäce.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, while she, wi' runnèn tongue,</p> +<p class="i2">Did talk unzeen 'ithin the hall,</p> +<p>I thought her like the rwose that flung</p> +<p class="i2">His sweetness vrom his darken'd ball,</p> +<p>'Ithout the wall, an' sweet's the zight</p> +<p>Ov her bright feäce by mornèn light.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p366" id="p366"></a> + +<h4>COME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Wull ye come in eärly Spring,</p> +<p>Come at Easter, or in Maÿ?</p> +<p>Or when Whitsuntide mid bring</p> +<p>Longer light to show your waÿ?</p> +<p>Wull ye come, if you be true,</p> +<p>Vor to quicken love anew.</p> +<p>Wull ye call in Spring or Fall?</p> +<p>Come now soon by zun or moon?</p> +<p class="i10"> Wull ye come?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come wi' vaïce to vaïce the while</p> +<p>All their words be sweet to hear;</p> +<p>Come that feäce to feäce mid smile,</p> +<p>While their smiles do seem so dear;</p><a name="page367" id="page367"></a><span class="left">[page 367]</span> +<p class="i2">Come within the year to seek</p> +<p class="i2">Woone you have sought woonce a week?</p> +<p class="i2">Come while flow'rs be on the bow'rs.</p> +<p class="i2">And the bird o' zong's a-heärd.</p> +<p class="i10"> Wull ye come?</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ees come <i>to</i> ye, an' come <i>vor</i> ye, is my word,</p> +<p class="i10"> I wull come.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p367" id="p367"></a> + +<h4>ZUMMER WINDS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Let me work, but mid noo tie</p> +<p>Hold me vrom the oben sky,</p> +<p>When zummer winds, in plaÿsome flight,</p> +<p>Do blow on vields in noon-day light,</p> +<p>Or ruslèn trees, in twilight night.</p> +<p class="i6"> Sweet's a stroll,</p> +<p>By flow'ry knowl, or blue-feäcèd pool</p> +<p>That zummer win's do ruffle cool.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the moon's broad light do vill</p> +<p>Plaïns, a-sheenèn down the hill;</p> +<p>A-glitterèn on window glass,</p> +<p>O then, while zummer win's do pass</p> +<p>The rippled brook, an' swaÿèn grass,</p> +<p class="i6">Sweet's a walk,</p> +<p>Where we do talk, wi' feäces bright,</p> +<p>In whispers in the peacevul night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the swaÿèn men do mow</p> +<p>Flow'ry grass, wi' zweepèn blow,</p> +<p>In het a-most enough to dry</p> +<p>The flat-spread clote-leaf that do lie</p> +<p>Upon the stream a-stealèn by,</p> +<p class="i6">Sweet's their rest,</p> +<p>Upon the breast o' knap or mound</p> +<p>Out where the goocoo's vaïce do sound.</p></div><a name="page368" id="page368"></a><span class="left">[page 368]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where the sleek-heäir'd maïd do zit</p> +<p>Out o' door to zew or knit,</p> +<p>Below the elem where the spring</p> +<p>'S a-runnèn, an' the road do bring</p> +<p>The people by to hear her zing,</p> +<p class="i6">On the green,</p> +<p>Where she's a-zeen, an' she can zee,</p> +<p>O gaÿ is she below the tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, O zummer wind, an' bring</p> +<p>Sounds o' birds as they do zing,</p> +<p>An' bring the smell o' bloomèn maÿ,</p> +<p>An' bring the smell o' new-mow'd haÿ;</p> +<p>Come fan my feäce as I do straÿ,</p> +<p class="i6">Fan the heäir</p> +<p>O' Jessie feäir; fan her cool,</p> +<p>By the weäves o' stream or pool.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p368" id="p368"></a> + +<h4>THE NEÄME LETTERS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>When high-flown larks wer on the wing,</p> +<p>A warm-aïr'd holiday in Spring,</p> +<p>We stroll'd, 'ithout a ceäre or frown,</p> +<p class="i2">Up roun' the down at Meldonley;</p> +<p>An' where the hawthorn-tree did stand</p> +<p>Alwone, but still wi' mwore at hand,</p> +<p>We zot wi' sheädes o' clouds on high</p> +<p class="i2">A-flittèn by, at Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there, the while the tree did sheäde</p> +<p>Their gigglèn heads, my knife's keen bleäde</p> +<p>Carved out, in turf avore my knee,</p> +<p class="i2">J. L., *T. D., at Meldonley.</p><a name="page369" id="page369"></a><span class="left">[page 369]</span> +<p>'Twer Jessie Lee J. L. did meän,</p> +<p>T. D. did stan' vor Thomas Deäne;</p> +<p>The "L" I scratch'd but slight, vor he</p> +<p class="i2">Mid soon be D, at Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the vields o' wheat did spread</p> +<p>Vrom hedge to hedge in sheets o' red.</p> +<p>An' bennets wer a-sheäkèn brown.</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the down at Meldonley,</p> +<p>We stroll'd ageän along the hill,</p> +<p>An' at the hawthorn-tree stood still,</p> +<p>To zee J. L. vor Jessie Lee,</p> +<p class="i2">An' my T. D., at Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The grey-poll'd bennet-stems did hem</p> +<p>Each half-hid letter's zunken rim,</p> +<p>By leädy's-vingers that did spread</p> +<p class="i2">In yollow red, at Meldonley.</p> +<p>An' heärebells there wi' light blue bell</p> +<p>Shook soundless on the letter L,</p> +<p>To ment the bells when L vor Lee</p> +<p class="i2">Become a D at Meldonley.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor Jessie, now my wife, do strive</p> +<p>Wi' me in life, an' we do thrive;</p> +<p>Two sleek-heäired meäres do sprackly pull</p> +<p class="i2">My waggon vull, at Meldonley;</p> +<p>An' small-hoof'd sheep, in vleeces white,</p> +<p>Wi' quickly-pankèn zides, do bite</p> +<p>My thymy grass, a-mark'd vor me</p> +<p class="i2">In black, T. D., at Meldonley.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> +<a name="page370" id="page370"></a><span class="left">[page 370]</span> + +<h4>THE NEW HOUSE A-GETTÈN WOLD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! when our wedded life begun,</p> +<p class="i2">Theäse clean-wall'd house of ours wer new;</p> +<p>Wi' thatch as yollor as the zun</p> +<p class="i2">Avore the cloudless sky o' blue;</p> +<p>The sky o' blue that then did bound</p> +<p>The blue-hilled worold's flow'ry ground.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' we've a-vound it weather-brown'd,</p> +<p class="i2">As Spring-tide blossoms oben'd white,</p> +<p>Or Fall did shed, on zunburnt ground,</p> +<p class="i2">Red apples from their leafy height:</p> +<p>Their leafy height, that Winter soon</p> +<p>Left leafless to the cool-feäced moon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' raïn-bred moss ha' staïn'd wi' green</p> +<p class="i2">The smooth-feäced wall's white-morter'd streaks,</p> +<p>The while our childern zot between</p> +<p class="i2">Our seats avore the fleäme's red peaks:</p> +<p>The fleäme's red peaks, till axan white</p> +<p>Did quench em vor the long-sleep'd night.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The bloom that woonce did overspread</p> +<p class="i2">Your rounded cheäk, as time went by,</p> +<p>A-shrinkèn to a patch o' red,</p> +<p class="i2">Did feäde so soft's the evenèn sky:</p> +<p>The evenèn sky, my faithful wife,</p> +<p>O' days as feäir's our happy life.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p370" id="p370"></a> + +<h4>ZUNDAY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>In zummer, when the sheädes do creep</p> +<p class="i2">Below the Zunday steeple, round</p> +<p>The mossy stwones, that love cut deep</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' neämes that tongues noo mwore do sound,</p><a name="page371" id="page371"></a><span class="left">[page 371]</span> +<p>The leäne do lose the stalkèn team,</p> +<p class="i2">An' dry-rimm'd waggon-wheels be still,</p> +<p>An' hills do roll their down-shot stream</p> +<p class="i2">Below the restèn wheel at mill.</p> +<p>O holy day, when tweil do ceäse,</p> +<p>Sweet day o' rest an' greäce an' peäce!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The eegrass, vor a while unwrung</p> +<p class="i2">By hoof or shoe, 's a sheenèn bright,</p> +<p>An' clover flowers be a-sprung</p> +<p class="i2">On new-mow'd knaps in beds o' white,</p> +<p>An' sweet wild rwoses, up among</p> +<p class="i2">The hedge-row boughs, do yield their smells.</p> +<p>To aïer that do bear along</p> +<p class="i2">The loud-rung peals o' Zunday bells,</p> +<p>Upon the day o' days the best,</p> +<p>The day o' greäce an' peäce an' rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>By brightshod veet, in peäir an' peäir,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' comely steps the road's a-took</p> +<p>To church, an' work-free han's do beär</p> +<p class="i2">Woone's walkèn stick or sister's book;</p> +<p>An' there the bloomèn niece do come</p> +<p class="i2">To zee her aunt, in all her best;</p> +<p>Or married daughter do bring hwome</p> +<p class="i2">Her vu'st sweet child upon her breast,</p> +<p>As she do seek the holy pleäce,</p> +<p>The day o' rest an' peäce an' greäce.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p371" id="p371"></a> + +<h4>THE PILLAR'D GEÄTE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I come by, zome years agoo,</p> +<p>A-burnt below a sky o' blue,</p> +<p>'Ithin the pillar'd geäte there zung</p> +<p>A vaïce a-soundèn sweet an' young,</p><a name="page372" id="page372"></a><span class="left">[page 372]</span> +<p>That meäde me veel awhile to zwim</p> +<p>In weäves o' jaÿ to hear its hymn;</p> +<p>Vor all the zinger, angel-bright,</p> +<p>Wer then a-hidden vrom my zight,</p> +<p class="i4">An' I wer then too low</p> +<p>To seek a meäte to match my steäte</p> +<p>'Ithin the lofty-pillar'd geäte,</p> +<p>Wi' stwonèn balls upon the walls:</p> +<p class="i4">Oh, no! my heart, no, no.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Another time as I come by</p> +<p>The house, below a dark-blue sky,</p> +<p>The pillar'd geäte wer oben wide,</p> +<p>An' who should be a-show'd inside,</p> +<p>But she, the comely maïd whose hymn</p> +<p>Woonce meäde my giddy braïn to zwim,</p> +<p>A-zittèn in the sheäde to zew,</p> +<p>A-clad in robes as white as snow.</p> +<p class="i4">What then? could I so low</p> +<p>Look out a meäte ov higher steäte</p> +<p>So gaÿ 'ithin a pillar'd geäte,</p> +<p>Wi' high walls round the smooth-mow'd ground?</p> +<p class="i4">Oh, no! my heart, no, no.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Long years stole by, a-glidèn slow,</p> +<p>Wi' winter cwold an' zummer glow,</p> +<p>An' she wer then a widow, clad</p> +<p>In grey; but comely, though so sad;</p> +<p>Her husband, heartless to his bride,</p> +<p>Spent all her store an' wealth, an' died,</p> +<p>Though she noo mwore could now rejaïce,</p> +<p>Yet sweet did sound her zongless vaïce.</p> +<p class="i4">But had she, in her woe,</p> +<p>The higher steäte she had o' leäte</p> +<p>'Ithin the lofty pillar'd geäte,</p> +<p>Wi' stwonèn balls upon the walls?</p> +<p class="i4">Oh, no! my heart, no, no.</p></div> +<a name="page373" id="page373"></a><span class="left">[page 373]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But while she vell, my Meäker's greäce</p> +<p>Led me to teäke a higher pleäce,</p> +<p>An' lighten'd up my mind wi' lore,</p> +<p>An' bless'd me wi' a worldly store;</p> +<p>But still noo winsome feäce or vaïce,</p> +<p>Had ever been my wedded chaïce;</p> +<p>An' then I thought, why do I mwope</p> +<p>Alwone without a jaÿ or hope?</p> +<p class="i4">Would she still think me low?</p> +<p>Or scorn a meäte, in my feäir steäte,</p> +<p>In here 'ithin a pillar'd geäte,</p> +<p>A happy pleäce wi' her kind feäce?</p> +<p class="i4">Oh, no! my hope, no, no.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I don't stand out 'tis only feäte</p> +<p>Do gi'e to each his wedded meäte;</p> +<p>But eet there's woone above the rest,</p> +<p>That every soul can like the best.</p> +<p>An' my wold love's a-kindled new,</p> +<p>An' my wold dream's a-come out true;</p> +<p>But while I had noo soul to sheäre</p> +<p>My good an' ill, an' jäy an ceäre,</p> +<p class="i4">Should I have bliss below,</p> +<p>In gleämèn pleäte an' lofty steäte</p> +<p>'Ithin the lofty pillar'd geäte,</p> +<p>Wi' feäirest flow'rs, an' ponds an' tow'rs?</p> +<p class="i4">Oh, no! my heart, no, no.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p373" id="p373"></a> + +<h4>ZUMMER STREAM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! then the grassy-meäded Maÿ</p> +<p>Did warm the passèn year, an' gleam</p> +<p>Upon the yellow-grounded stream,</p> +<p>That still by beech-tree sheädes do straÿ.</p><a name="page374" id="page374"></a><span class="left">[page 374]</span> +<p>The light o' weäves, a-runnèn there,</p> +<p class="i2">Did plaÿ on leaves up over head,</p> +<p>An' vishes sceäly zides did gleäre,</p> +<p class="i2">A-dartèn on the shallow bed,</p> +<p>An' like the stream a-slidèn on,</p> +<p>My zun out-measur'd time's agone.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There by the path, in grass knee-high,</p> +<p>Wer buttervlees in giddy flight,</p> +<p>All white above the deäisies white,</p> +<p>Or blue below the deep blue sky.</p> +<p>Then glowèn warm wer ev'ry brow,</p> +<p class="i2">O' maïd, or man, in zummer het,</p> +<p>An' warm did glow the cheäks I met</p> +<p class="i2">That time, noo mwore to meet em now.</p> +<p>As brooks, a-slidèn on their bed,</p> +<p>My season-measur'd time's a-vled.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vrom yonder window, in the thatch,</p> +<p>Did sound the maïdens' merry words,</p> +<p>As I did stand, by zingèn birds,</p> +<p>Bezide the elem-sheäded hatch.</p> +<p>'Tis good to come back to the pleäce,</p> +<p class="i2">Back to the time, to goo noo mwore;</p> +<p>'Tis good to meet the younger feäce</p> +<p class="i2">A-mentèn others here avore.</p> +<p>As streams do glide by green mead-grass,</p> +<p>My zummer-brighten'd years do pass.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p374" id="p374"></a> + +<h4>LINDA DEÄNE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The bright-tunn'd house, a-risèn proud,</p> +<p>Stood high avore a zummer cloud,</p> +<p>An' windy sheädes o' tow'rs did vall</p> +<p>Upon the many-window'd wall;</p><a name="page375" id="page375"></a><span class="left">[page 375]</span> +<p>An' on the grassy terrace, bright</p> +<p>Wi' white-bloom'd zummer's deaïsy beds,</p> +<p>An' snow-white lilies noddèn heads,</p> +<p>Sweet Linda Deäne did walk in white;</p> +<p>But ah! avore too high a door,</p> +<p>Wer Linda Deäne ov Ellendon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When sparklèn brooks an' grassy ground,</p> +<p>By keen-aïr'd Winter's vrost wer bound,</p> +<p>An' star-bright snow did streak the forms</p> +<p>O' beäre-lim'd trees in darksome storms,</p> +<p>Sweet Linda Deäne did lightly glide,</p> +<p>Wi' snow-white robe an' rwosy feäce,</p> +<p>Upon the smooth-vloor'd hall, to treäce</p> +<p>The merry dance o' Chris'mas tide;</p> +<p>But oh! not mine be balls so fine</p> +<p>As Linda Deäne's at Ellendon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Sweet Linda Deäne do match the skies</p> +<p>Wi' sheenèn blue o' glisnèn eyes,</p> +<p>An' feaïrest blossoms do but show</p> +<p>Her forehead's white, an' feäce's glow;</p> +<p>But there's a winsome jaÿ above,</p> +<p>The brightest hues ov e'th an' skies.</p> +<p>The dearest zight o' many eyes,</p> +<p>Would be the smile o' Linda's love;</p> +<p>But high above my lowly love</p> +<p>Is Linda Deäne ov Ellendon.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<br /><hr class="short" /><br /><br /> + +<a name="page376" id="page376"></a><span class="left">[page 376]</span> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>COME AND ZEE US IN THE ZUMMER.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>John; William; William's Bwoy; and William's Maïd +at Feäir</i>.</h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo here be your childern, a-sheärèn</p> +<p>Your feäir-day, an' each wi' a feäirèn.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>WILLIAM.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, well, there's noo peace 'ithout comèn</p> +<p>To stannèn an' show, in the zummer.</p> + </div></div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' how is your Jeäne? still as merry</p> +<p>As ever, wi' cheäks lik' a cherry?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>WILLIAM.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Still merry, but beauty's as feädesome</p> +<p>'S the raïn's glowèn bow in the zummer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Well now, I do hope we shall vind ye</p> +<p>Come soon, wi' your childern behind ye,</p> +<p>To Stowe, while o' bwoth zides o' hedges,</p> +<p>The zunsheen do glow in the zummer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>WILLIAM.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, aye, when the mowèn is over,</p> +<p>An' ee-grass do whiten wi' clover.</p> +<p>A man's a-tired out, vor much walken,</p> +<p>The while he do mow in the zummer.</p> +</div> +</div><br /> +<a name="page377" id="page377"></a><span class="left">[page 377]</span> + +<h5>WILLIAM'S BWOY.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>I'll goo, an' we'll zet up a wicket,</p> +<p>An' have a good innèns at cricket;</p> +<p>An' teäke a good plounce in the water.</p> +<p>Where clote-leaves do grow in the zummer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>WILLIAM'S MAID.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>I'll goo, an' we'll play "Thread the needle"</p> +<p>Or "Huntèn the slipper," or wheedle</p> +<p>Young Jemmy to fiddle, an' reely</p> +<p>So brisk to an' fro in the zummer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>JOHN.</h5> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>An' Jeäne. Mind you don't come 'ithout her,</p> +<p>My wife is a-thinkèn about her;</p> +<p>At our house she'll find she's as welcome</p> +<p>'S the rwose that do blow in the zummer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<a name="p377" id="p377"></a> + +<h4>LINDENORE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At Lindenore upon the steep,</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide the trees a-reachèn high,</p> +<p>The while their lower limbs do zweep</p> +<p class="i2">The river-stream a-flowèn by;</p> +<p>By grægle bells in beds o' blue,</p> +<p>Below the tree-stems in the lew,</p> +<p>Calm aïr do vind the rwose-bound door,</p> +<p>Ov Ellen Dare o' Lindenore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there noo foam do hiss avore</p> +<p class="i2">Swift bwoats, wi' water-plowèn keels,</p> +<p>An' there noo broad high-road's a-wore</p> +<p class="i2">By vur-brought trav'lers' cracklèn wheels;</p><a name="page378" id="page378"></a><span class="left">[page 378]</span> +<p>Noo crowd's a-passèn to and fro,</p> +<p>Upon the bridge's high-sprung bow:</p> +<p>An' vew but I do seek the door</p> +<p>Ov Ellen Dare o' Lindenore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor there the town, wi' zun-bright walls,</p> +<p class="i2">Do sheen vur off, by hills o' grey,</p> +<p>An' town-vo'k ha' but seldom calls</p> +<p class="i2">O' business there, from day to day:</p> +<p>But Ellen didden leäve her ruf</p> +<p>To be admir'd, an' that's enough—</p> +<p>Vor I've a-vound 'ithin her door,</p> +<p>Feäir Ellen Dare o' Lindenore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p378" id="p378"></a> + +<h4>ME'TH BELOW THE TREE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O when theäse elems' crooked boughs,</p> +<p>A'most too thin to sheäde the cows,</p> +<p>Did slowly swing above the grass</p> +<p>As winds o' Spring did softly pass,</p> +<p>An' zunlight show'd the shiftèn sheäde,</p> +<p>While youthful me'th wi' laughter loud,</p> +<p>Did twist his lim's among the crowd</p> +<p>Down there below; up there above</p> +<p>Wer bright-ey'd me'th below the tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Down there the merry vo'k did vill</p> +<p>The stwonèn doorway, now so still;</p> +<p>An' zome did joke, wi' ceäsement wide,</p> +<p>Wi' other vo'k a-stood outside,</p> +<p>Wi' words that head by head did heed.</p> +<p>Below blue sky an' blue-smok'd tun,</p> +<p>'Twer jaÿ to zee an' hear their fun,</p> +<p>But sweeter jaÿ up here above</p> +<p>Wi' bright-ey'd me'th below the tree.</p></div> +<a name="page379" id="page379"></a><span class="left">[page 379]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now unknown veet do beät the vloor,</p> +<p>An' unknown han's do shut the door,</p> +<p>An' unknown men do ride abrode,</p> +<p>An' hwome ageän on thik wold road,</p> +<p>Drough geätes all now a-hung anew.</p> +<p>Noo mind but mine ageän can call</p> +<p>Wold feäces back around the wall,</p> +<p>Down there below, or here above,</p> +<p>Wi' bright-ey'd me'th below the tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Aye, pride mid seek the crowded pleäce</p> +<p>To show his head an' frownèn feäce,</p> +<p>An' pleasure vlee, wi' goold in hand,</p> +<p>Vor zights to zee vrom land to land,</p> +<p>Where winds do blow on seas o' blue:—</p> +<p>Noo wealth wer mine to travel wide</p> +<p>Vor jaÿ, wi' Pleasure or wi' Pride:</p> +<p>My happiness wer here above</p> +<p>The feäst, wi' me'th below the tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The wild rwose now do hang in zight,</p> +<p>To mornèn zun an' evenèn light,</p> +<p>The bird do whissle in the gloom,</p> +<p>Avore the thissle out in bloom,</p> +<p>But here alwone the tree do leän.</p> +<p>The twig that woonce did whiver there</p> +<p>Is now a limb a-wither'd beäre:</p> +<p>Zoo I do miss the sheäde above</p> +<p>My head, an' me'th below the tree.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p379" id="p379"></a> + +<h4>TREAT WELL YOUR WIFE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, no, good Meäster Collins cried,</p> +<p>Why you've a good wife at your zide;</p> +<p>Zoo do believe the heart is true</p> +<p>That gi'ed up all bezide vor you,</p><a name="page380" id="page380"></a><span class="left">[page 380]</span> +<p>An' still beheäve as you begun</p> +<p>To seek the love that you've a-won</p> +<p class="i4">When woonce in dewy June,</p> +<p>In hours o' hope soft eyes did flash,</p> +<p>Each bright below his sheädy lash,</p> +<p class="i4">A-glisnèn to the moon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Think how her girlhood met noo ceäre</p> +<p>To peäle the bloom her feäce did weär,</p> +<p>An' how her glossy temple prest</p> +<p>Her pillow down, in still-feäced rest,</p> +<p>While sheädes o' window bars did vall</p> +<p>In moonlight on the gloomy wall,</p> +<p class="i4">In cool-aïr'd nights o' June;</p> +<p>The while her lids, wi' bendèn streäks</p> +<p>O' lashes, met above her cheäks,</p> +<p class="i4">A-bloomèn to the moon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Think how she left her childhood's pleäce,</p> +<p>An' only sister's long-known feäce,</p> +<p>An' brother's jokes so much a-miss'd,</p> +<p>An' mother's cheäk, the last a-kiss'd;</p> +<p>An' how she lighted down avore</p> +<p>Her new abode, a husband's door,</p> +<p class="i4">Your weddèn night in June;</p> +<p>Wi' heart that beät wi' hope an' fear,</p> +<p>While on each eye-lash hung a tear,</p> +<p class="i4">A-glisnèn to the moon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Think how her father zot all dum',</p> +<p>A-thinkèn on her, back at hwome,</p> +<p>The while grey axan gather'd thick,</p> +<p>On dyèn embers, on the brick;</p> +<p>An' how her mother look'd abrode,</p> +<p>Drough window, down the moon-bright road,</p><a name="page381" id="page381"></a><span class="left">[page 381]</span> +<p class="i4">Thik cloudless night o' June,</p> +<p>Wi' tears upon her lashes big</p> +<p>As raïn-drops on a slender twig,</p> +<p class="i4">A-glisnèn to the moon.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo don't zit thoughtless at your cup</p> +<p>An' keep your wife a-wäitèn up,</p> +<p>The while the clock's a-tickèn slow</p> +<p>The chilly hours o' vrost an' snow,</p> +<p>Until the zinkèn candle's light</p> +<p>Is out avore her drowsy sight,</p> +<p class="i4">A-dimm'd wi' grief too soon;</p> +<p>A-leävèn there alwone to murn</p> +<p>The feädèn cheäk that woonce did burn,</p> +<p class="i4">A-bloomèn to the moon.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p381" id="p381"></a> + +<h4>THE CHILD AN' THE MOWERS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O, aye! they had woone child bezide,</p> +<p class="i2">An' a finer your eyes never met,</p> +<p>'Twer a dear little fellow that died</p> +<p class="i2">In the zummer that come wi' such het;</p> +<p>By the mowers, too thoughtless in fun,</p> +<p class="i2">He wer then a-zent off vrom our eyes,</p> +<p>Vrom the light ov the dew-dryèn zun,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye! vrom days under blue-hollow'd skies.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He went out to the mowers in meäd,</p> +<p class="i2">When the zun wer a-rose to his height,</p> +<p>An' the men wer a-swingèn the sneäd,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' their eärms in white sleeves, left an' right;</p> +<p>An' out there, as they rested at noon,</p> +<p class="i2">O! they drench'd en vrom eäle-horns too deep,</p> +<p>Till his thoughts wer a-drown'd in a swoon;</p> +<p class="i2">Aye! his life wer a-smother'd in sleep.</p></div> +<a name="page382" id="page382"></a><span class="left">[page 382]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then they laid en there-right on the ground,</p> +<p class="i2">On a grass-heap, a-zweltrèn wi' het,</p> +<p>Wi' his heäir all a-wetted around</p> +<p class="i2">His young feäce, wi' the big drops o' zweat;</p> +<p>In his little left palm he'd a-zet,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' his right hand, his vore-vinger's tip,</p> +<p>As for zome'hat he woulden vorget,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye! zome thought that he woulden let slip.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then they took en in hwome to his bed,</p> +<p class="i2">An' he rose vrom his pillow noo mwore,</p> +<p>Vor the curls on his sleek little head</p> +<p class="i2">To be blown by the wind out o' door.</p> +<p>Vor he died while the häy russled grey</p> +<p class="i2">On the staddle so leätely begun:</p> +<p>Lik' the mown-grass a-dried by the day,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye! the zwath-flow'r's a-killed by the zun.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p382" id="p382"></a> + +<h4>THE LOVE CHILD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where the bridge out at Woodley did stride,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' his wide arches' cool sheäded bow,</p> +<p>Up above the clear brook that did slide</p> +<p class="i2">By the popples, befoam'd white as snow:</p> +<p>As the gilcups did quiver among</p> +<p class="i2">The white deäisies, a-spread in a sheet.</p> +<p>There a quick-trippèn maïd come along,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, a girl wi' her light-steppèn veet.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' she cried "I do praÿ, is the road</p> +<p class="i2">Out to Lincham on here, by the meäd?"</p> +<p>An' "oh! ees," I meäde answer, an' show'd</p> +<p class="i2">Her the way it would turn an' would leäd:</p> +<p>"Goo along by the beech in the nook,</p> +<p class="i2">Where the childern do play in the cool,</p> +<p>To the steppèn stwones over the brook,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, the grey blocks o' rock at the pool."</p></div> +<a name="page383" id="page383"></a><span class="left">[page 383]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Then you don't seem a-born an' a-bred,"</p> +<p class="i2">I spoke up, "at a place here about;"</p> +<p>An' she answer'd wi' cheäks up so red</p> +<p class="i2">As a pi'ny but leäte a-come out,</p> +<p>"No, I liv'd wi' my uncle that died</p> +<p class="i2">Back in Eäpril, an' now I'm a-come</p> +<p>Here to Ham, to my mother, to bide,—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, to her house to vind a new hwome."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"><a name="p383b" id="p383b"></a> +<p>I'm asheämed that I wanted to know</p> +<p class="i2">Any mwore of her childhood or life,</p> +<p>But then, why should so feäir a child grow</p> +<p class="i2">Where noo father did bide wi' his wife;</p> +<p>Then wi' blushes of zunrisèn morn,</p> +<p class="i2">She replied "that it midden be known,</p> +<p>"Oh! they zent me away to be born,—<a href="#p383a"><sup style="font-size: 0.8em;">*</sup></a></p> +<p class="i2">Aye, they hid me when zome would be shown."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! it meäde me a'most teary-ey'd,</p> +<p class="i2">An' I vound I a'most could ha' groan'd—</p> +<p>What! so winnèn, an' still cast a-zide—</p> +<p class="i2">What! so lovely, an' not to be own'd;</p> +<p>Oh! a God-gift a-treated wi' scorn,</p> +<p class="i2">Oh! a child that a squier should own;</p> +<p>An' to zend her away to be born!—</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, to hide her where others be shown!</p></div> +<a name="p383a" id="p383a"></a> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p383b"><sup>*</sup></a> Words once spoken to the writer.</span></p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p383" id="p383"></a> + +<h4>HAWTHORN DOWN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>All up the down's cool brow</p> +<p class="i2">I work'd in noontide's gleäre,</p> +<p>On where the slow-wheel'd plow</p> +<p class="i2">'D a-wore the grass half bare.</p><a name="page384" id="page384"></a><span class="left">[page 384]</span> +<p>An' gil'cups quiver'd quick,</p> +<p class="i2">As aïr did pass,</p> +<p>An' deäisies huddled thick</p> +<p class="i2">Among the grass.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The while my eärms did swing</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' work I had on hand,</p> +<p>The quick-wing'd lark did zing</p> +<p class="i2">Above the green-tree'd land,</p> +<p>An' bwoys below me chafed</p> +<p class="i2">The dog vor fun,</p> +<p>An' he, vor all they laef'd,</p> +<p class="i2">Did meäke em run.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The south zide o' the hill,</p> +<p class="i2">My own tun-smoke rose blue,—</p> +<p>In North Coomb, near the mill,</p> +<p class="i2">My mother's wer in view—</p> +<p>Where woonce her vier vor all</p> +<p class="i2">Ov us did burn,</p> +<p>As I have childern small</p> +<p class="i2">Round mine in turn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo I still wull cheer</p> +<p class="i2">Her life wi' my small store,</p> +<p>As she do drop a tear</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide her lwonesome door.</p> +<p>The love that I do owe</p> +<p class="i2">Her ruf, I'll paÿ,</p> +<p>An' then zit down below</p> +<p class="i2">My own wi' jaÿ.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page385" id="page385"></a><span class="left">[page 385]</span> + +<h4>OBEN VIELDS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, you mid keep the town an' street,</p> +<p>Wi' grassless stwones to beät your veet,</p> +<p>An' zunless windows where your brows</p> +<p>Be never cooled by swaÿèn boughs;</p> +<p>An' let me end, as I begun,</p> +<p>My days in oben aïr an' zun,</p> +<p>Where zummer win's a-blowèn sweet,</p> +<p>Wi' blooth o' trees as white's a sheet;</p> +<p>Or swaÿèn boughs, a-bendèn low</p> +<p>Wi' rip'nèn apples in a row,</p> +<p>An' we a-risèn rathe do meet</p> +<p>The bright'nèn dawn wi' dewy veet,</p> +<p>An' leäve, at night, the vootless groves,</p> +<p>To rest 'ithin our thatchen oves.</p> +<p>An' here our childern still do bruise</p> +<p>The deäisy buds wi' tiny shoes,</p> +<p>As we did meet avore em, free</p> +<p>Vrom ceäre, in play below the tree.</p> +<p>An' there in me'th their lively eyes</p> +<p>Do glissen to the zunny skies,</p> +<p>As aïr do blow, wi' leäzy peäce</p> +<p>To cool, in sheäde, their burnèn feäce.</p> +<p>Where leaves o' spreadèn docks do hide</p> +<p>The zawpit's timber-lwoaded zide,</p> +<p>An' trees do lie, wi' scraggy limbs,</p> +<p>Among the deäisy's crimson rims.</p> +<p>An' they, so proud, wi' eärms a-spread</p> +<p>To keep their balance good, do tread</p> +<p>Wi' ceäreful steps o' tiny zoles</p> +<p>The narrow zides o' trees an' poles.</p> +<p>An' zoo I'll leäve vor your light veet</p> +<p>The peävement o' the zunless street,</p> +<p>While I do end, as I begun,</p> +<p>My days in oben aïr an' zun.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page386" id="page386"></a><span class="left">[page 386]</span> + +<h4>WHAT JOHN WER A-TELLÈN HIS MIS'ESS <br />OUT IN THE CORN GROUND.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! mam! you woonce come here the while</p> +<p class="i2">The zun, long years agoo, did shed</p> +<p>His het upon the wheat in hile,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' yollow hau'm an' ears o' red,</p> +<p>Wi' little shoes too thin vor walks</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the scratchèn stubble-stalks;</p> +<p>You hardly reach'd wi' glossy head,</p> +<p class="i2">The vore wheel's top o' dousty red.</p> +<p>How time's a-vled! How years do vlee!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there you went an' zot inzide</p> +<p class="i2">A hile, in aïr a-streamèn cool,</p> +<p>As if 'ithin a room, vull wide</p> +<p class="i2">An' high, you zot to guide an' rule.</p> +<p>You leäz'd about the stubbly land,</p> +<p class="i2">An' soon vill'd up your small left hand</p> +<p>Wi' ruddy ears your right hand vound,</p> +<p class="i2">An' traïl'd the stalks along the ground.</p> +<p>How time's a-gone! How years do goo!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then in the waggon you did teäke</p> +<p class="i2">A ride, an' as the wheels vell down</p> +<p>Vrom ridge to vurrow, they did sheäke</p> +<p class="i2">On your small head your poppy crown,</p> +<p>An' now your little maïd, a dear,</p> +<p class="i2">Your childhood's very daps, is here,</p> +<p>Zoo let her staÿ, that her young feäce</p> +<p class="i2">Mid put a former year in pleäce.</p> +<p>How time do run! How years do roll!</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page387" id="page387"></a><span class="left">[page 387]</span> + +<h4>SHEÄDES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come here an' zit a while below</p> +<p class="i2">Theäse tower, grey and ivy-bound,</p> +<p>In sheäde, the while the zun do glow</p> +<p class="i2">So hot upon the flow'ry ground;</p> +<p class="i6">An' winds in flight,</p> +<p class="i6">Do briskly smite</p> +<p>The blossoms bright, upon the gleäde,</p> +<p>But never stir the sleepèn sheäde.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As when you stood upon the brink</p> +<p class="i2">O' yonder brook, wi' back-zunn'd head,</p> +<p>Your zunny-grounded sheäde did zink</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the water's grav'lly bed,</p> +<p class="i6">Where weäves could zweep</p> +<p class="i6">Away, or keep,</p> +<p>The gravel heap that they'd a-meäde,</p> +<p>But never wash away the sheäde.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo, when you can woonce vulvil</p> +<p class="i2">What's feäir, a-tried by heaven's light,</p> +<p>Why never fear that evil will</p> +<p class="i2">Can meäke a wrong o' your good right.</p> +<p class="i6">The right wull stand,</p> +<p class="i6">Vor all man's hand,</p> +<p>Till streams on zand, an' wind in gleädes,</p> +<p>Can zweep awaÿ the zuncast sheädes.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p387" id="p387"></a> + +<h4>TIMES O' YEAR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Here did swäy the eltrot flow'rs,</p> +<p>When the hours o' night wer vew,</p> +<p>An' the zun, wi' eärly beams</p><a name="page388" id="page388"></a><span class="left">[page 388]</span> +<p>Brighten'd streams, an' dried the dew,</p> +<p>An' the goocoo there did greet</p> +<p>Passers by wi' dousty veet.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the milkmaïd hung her brow</p> +<p>By the cow, a-sheenèn red;</p> +<p>An' the dog, wi' upward looks,</p> +<p>Watch'd the rooks above his head,</p> +<p>An' the brook, vrom bow to bow,</p> +<p>Here went swift, an' there wer slow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now the cwolder-blowèn blast,</p> +<p>Here do cast vrom elems' heads</p> +<p>Feäded leaves, a-whirlèn round,</p> +<p>Down to ground, in yollow beds,</p> +<p>Ruslèn under milkers' shoes,</p> +<p>When the day do dry the dews.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Soon shall grass, a-vrosted bright,</p> +<p>Glisten white instead o' green,</p> +<p>An' the wind shall smite the cows,</p> +<p>Where the boughs be now their screen.</p> +<p>Things do change as years do vlee;</p> +<p>What ha' years in store vor me?</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<hr /><br /><br /> + +<a name="p388" id="p388"></a> + +<h2><span style="font-family: 'old english text', serif;">Eclogue.</span></h2><br /> + +<h3>RACKETÈN JOE.</h3> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h4><i>Racketèn Joe; his Sister; his Cousin Fanny; and the Dog.</i></h4> + +<hr class="shorter" /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Heigh! heigh! here. Who's about?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> +<a name="page389" id="page389"></a><span class="left">[page 389]</span> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! lauk! Here's Joe, a rantèn lout,</p> +<p>A-meäkèn his wild randy-rout.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Heigh! Fanny! How d'ye do? (<i>slaps her.</i>)</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! fie; why all the woo'se vor you</p> +<p>A-slappèn o' me, black an' blue,</p> +<p>My back!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10">A whack! you loose-eärm'd chap,</p> +<p>To gi'e your cousin sich a slap!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'll pull the heäir o'n, I do vow;</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'll pull the ears o'n. There.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>THE DOG.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i20"> Wowh! wow!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A-comèn up the drong,</p> +<p>How he did smack his leather thong,</p> +<p>A-zingèn, as he thought, a zong;</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the pigs did scote</p> +<p>Azide, in fright, wi' squeakèn droat,</p> +<p>Wi' geese a pitchèn up a note.</p> +<p>Look there.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i16"> His chair!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> +<a name="page390" id="page390"></a><span class="left">[page 390]</span> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i20"> He thump'd en down,</p> +<p>As if he'd het en into ground.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Heigh! heigh! Look here! the vier is out.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How he do knock the tongs about!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now theäre's his whip-nob, plum</p> +<p>Upon the teäble vor a drum;</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there's a dent so big's your thumb.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My hat's awore so quaer.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis quaer enough, but not wi' wear;</p> +<p>But dabs an' dashes he do bear.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The zow!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i10"> What now?</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i22"> She's in the plot.</p> +<p>A-routèn up the flower knot.</p> +<p>Ho! Towzer! Here, rout out the zow,</p> +<p>Heigh! here, hie at her. Tiss!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>THE DOG.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i22"> Wowh! wow!</p> + </div> + </div><br /> +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How he do rant and roar,</p> +<p>An' stump an' stamp about the vloor,</p> +<p>An' swing, an' slap, an' slam the door!</p><a name="page391" id="page391"></a><span class="left">[page 391]</span> +<p>He don't put down a thing,</p> +<p>But he do dab, an' dash, an' ding</p> +<p>It down, till all the house do ring.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>RACKETÈN JOE.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>She's out.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i12"> Noo doubt.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>HIS SISTER.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i20"> Athirt the bank,</p> +<p>Look! how the dog an' he do pank.</p> + </div> + </div><br /> + +<h5>FANNY.</h5> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>Staÿ out, an' heed her now an' then,</p> +<p>To zee she don't come in ageän.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p391" id="p391"></a> + +<h4>ZUMMER AN' WINTER.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When I led by zummer streams</p> +<p class="i2">The pride o' Lea, as naïghbours thought her,</p> +<p>While the zun, wi' evenèn beams,</p> +<p class="i2">Did cast our sheädes athirt the water;</p> +<p class="i8">Winds a-blowèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Streams a-flowèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Skies a-glowèn,</p> +<p>Tokens ov my jaÿ zoo fleetèn,</p> +<p>Heighten'd it, that happy meetèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then, when maïd an' man took pleäces,</p> +<p class="i2">Gaÿ in winter's Chris'mas dances,</p> +<p>Showèn in their merry feäces</p> +<p class="i2">Kindly smiles an' glisnèn glances;</p> +<p class="i8">Stars a-winkèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Day a-shrinkèn,</p> +<p class="i8">Sheädes a-zinkèn,</p> +<p>Brought anew the happy meetèn,</p> +<p>That did meake the night too fleetèn.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page392" id="page392"></a><span class="left">[page 392]</span> + +<h4>TO ME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At night, as drough the meäd I took my waÿ,</p> +<p>In aïr a-sweeten'd by the new-meäde haÿ,</p> +<p>A stream a-vallèn down a rock did sound,</p> +<p>Though out o' zight wer foam an' stwone to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Behind the knap, above the gloomy copse,</p> +<p>The wind did russle in the trees' high tops,</p> +<p>Though evenèn darkness, an' the risèn hill,</p> +<p>Kept all the quiv'rèn leaves unshown to me,</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Within the copse, below the zunless sky,</p> +<p>I heärd a nightèngeäle, a-warblèn high</p> +<p>Her lwoansome zong, a-hidden vrom my zight,</p> +<p>An' showèn nothèn but her mwoan to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' by a house, where rwoses hung avore</p> +<p>The thatch-brow'd window, an' the oben door,</p> +<p>I heärd the merry words, an' hearty laugh</p> +<p>O' zome feäir maid, as eet unknown to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>High over head the white-rimm'd clouds went on,</p> +<p>Wi' woone a-comèn up, vor woone a-gone;</p> +<p>An' feäir they floated in their sky-back'd flight,</p> +<p>But still they never meäde a sound to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the miller, down the stream did float</p> +<p>Wi' all his childern, in his white-saïl'd bwoat,</p> +<p>Vur off, beyond the stragglèn cows in meäd,</p> +<p>But zent noo vaïce, athirt the ground, to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' then a buttervlee, in zultry light,</p> +<p>A-wheelèn on about me, vier-bright,</p> +<p>Did show the gaÿest colors to my eye,</p> +<p>But still did bring noo vaïce around to me.</p></div> +<a name="page393" id="page393"></a><span class="left">[page 393]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I met the merry laugher on the down,</p> +<p>Bezide her mother, on the path to town,</p> +<p>An' oh! her sheäpe wer comely to the zight,</p> +<p>But wordless then wer she a-vound to me.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo, sweet ov unzeen things mid be sound,</p> +<p>An' feäir to zight mid soundless things be vound,</p> +<p>But I've the laugh to hear, an' feäce to zee,</p> +<p>Vor they be now my own, a-bound to me.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p393" id="p393"></a> + +<h4>TWO AN' TWO.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The zun, O Jessie, while his feäce do rise</p> +<p class="i2">In vi'ry skies, a-sheddèn out his light</p> +<p>On yollow corn a-weävèn down below</p> +<p class="i2">His yollow glow, is gaÿ avore the zight.</p> +<p class="i4">By two an' two,</p> +<p class="i4">How goodly things do goo,</p> +<p class="i2">A-matchèn woone another to fulvill</p> +<p class="i2">The goodness ov their Meäkèr's will.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>How bright the spreadèn water in the lew</p> +<p class="i2">Do catch the blue, a-sheenèn vrom the sky;</p> +<p>How true the grass do teäke the dewy bead</p> +<p class="i2">That it do need, while dousty roads be dry.</p> +<p class="i4">By peäir an' peäir</p> +<p class="i4">Each thing's a-meäde to sheäre</p> +<p class="i2">The good another can bestow,</p> +<p class="i2">In wisdom's work down here below.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The lowest lim's o' trees do seldom grow</p> +<p class="i2">A-spread too low to gi'e the cows a sheäde;</p> +<p>The aïr's to bear the bird, the bird's to rise;</p> +<p class="i2">Vor light the eyes, vor eyes the light's a-meäde.</p><a name="page394" id="page394"></a><span class="left">[page 394]</span> +<p class="i4">'Tis gi'e an' teäke,</p> +<p class="i4">An' woone vor others' seäke;</p> +<p class="i2">In peäirs a-workèn out their ends,</p> +<p class="i2">Though men be foes that should be friends.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p394" id="p394"></a> + +<h4>THE LEW O' THE RICK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At eventide the wind wer loud</p> +<p class="i2">By trees an' tuns above woone's head,</p> +<p>An' all the sky wer woone dark cloud,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor all it had noo raïn to shed;</p> +<p>An' as the darkness gather'd thick,</p> +<p>I zot me down below a rick,</p> +<p>Where straws upon the win' did ride</p> +<p>Wi' giddy flights, along my zide,</p> +<p>Though unmolestèn me a-restèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Where I laÿ 'ithin the lew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My wife's bright vier indoors did cast</p> +<p class="i2">Its fleäme upon the window peänes</p> +<p>That screen'd her teäble, while the blast</p> +<p class="i2">Vled on in music down the leänes;</p> +<p>An' as I zot in vaïceless thought</p> +<p>Ov other zummer-tides, that brought</p> +<p>The sheenèn grass below the lark,</p> +<p>Or left their ricks a-wearèn dark,</p> +<p>My childern voun' me, an' come roun' me,</p> +<p class="i4">Where I lay 'ithin the lew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The rick that then did keep me lew</p> +<p class="i2">Would be a-gone another Fall,</p> +<p>An' I, in zome years, in a vew,</p> +<p class="i2">Mid leäve the childern, big or small;</p><a name="page395" id="page395"></a><span class="left">[page 395]</span> +<p>But He that meäde the wind, an' meäde</p> +<p>The lewth, an' zent wi' het the sheäde,</p> +<p>Can keep my childern, all alwone</p> +<p>O' under me, an' though vull grown</p> +<p>Or little lispers, wi' their whispers,</p> +<p class="i4">There a-lyèn in the lew.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p395" id="p395"></a> + +<h4>THE WIND IN WOONE'S FEÄCE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There lovely Jenny past,</p> +<p class="i2">While the blast did blow</p> +<p>On over Ashknowle Hill</p> +<p class="i2">To the mill below;</p> +<p>A-blinkèn quick, wi' lashes long,</p> +<p class="i2">Above her cheäks o' red,</p> +<p>Ageän the wind, a-beätèn strong,</p> +<p class="i2">Upon her droopèn head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! let dry win' blow bleäk,</p> +<p class="i2">On her cheäk so heäle,</p> +<p>But let noo raïn-shot chill</p> +<p class="i2">Meäke her ill an' peäle;</p> +<p>Vor healthy is the breath the blast</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the hill do yield,</p> +<p>An' healthy is the light a cast</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom lofty sky to vield.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' mid noo sorrow-pang</p> +<p class="i2">Ever hang a tear</p> +<p>Upon the dark lash-heäir</p> +<p class="i2">Ov my feäirest dear;</p> +<p>An' mid noo unkind deed o' mine</p> +<p class="i2">Spweil what my love mid gaïn,</p> +<p>Nor meäke my merry Jenny pine</p> +<p class="i2">At last wi' dim-ey'd païn.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page396" id="page396"></a><span class="left">[page 396]</span> + +<h4>TOKENS</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Green mwold on zummer bars do show</p> +<p class="i2">That they've a-dripp'd in Winter wet;</p> +<p>The hoof-worn ring o' groun' below</p> +<p class="i2">The tree, do tell o' storms or het;</p> +<p>The trees in rank along a ledge</p> +<p>Do show where woonce did bloom a hedge;</p> +<p>An' where the vurrow-marks do stripe</p> +<p>The down, the wheat woonce rustled ripe.</p> +<p>Each mark ov things a-gone vrom view—</p> +<p>To eyezight's woone, to soulzight two.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The grass ageän the mwoldrèn door</p> +<p class="i2">'S a tóken sad o' vo'k a-gone,</p> +<p>An' where the house, bwoth wall an' vloor,</p> +<p class="i2">'S a-lost, the well mid linger on.</p> +<p>What tokens, then, could Meäry gi'e</p> +<p>Thät she'd a-liv'd, an' liv'd vor me,</p> +<p>But things a-done vor thought an' view?</p> +<p>Good things that nwone ageän can do,</p> +<p>An' every work her love ha' wrought,</p> +<p>To eyezight's woone, but two to thought.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p396" id="p396"></a> + +<h4>TWEIL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The rick ov our last zummer's haulèn</p> +<p class="i2">Now vrom grey's a-feäded dark,</p> +<p>An' off the barken raïl's a-vallèn,</p> +<p class="i2">Day by day, the rottèn bark.—</p> +<p>But short's the time our works do stand,</p> +<p>So feäir's we put em out ov hand,</p> +<p>Vor time a-passèn, wet an' dry,</p> +<p>Do spweïl em wi' his changèn sky,</p><a name="page397" id="page397"></a><span class="left">[page 397]</span> +<p>The while wi' strivèn hope, we men,</p> +<p class="i2">Though a-ruèn time's undoèn,</p> +<p>Still do tweil an' tweil ageän.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In wall-zide sheädes, by leafy bowers,</p> +<p class="i2">Underneath the swayèn tree,</p> +<p>O' leäte, as round the bloomèn flowers,</p> +<p class="i2">Lowly humm'd the giddy bee,</p> +<p>My childern's small left voot did smite</p> +<p>Their tiny speäde, the while the right</p> +<p>Did trample on a deäisy head,</p> +<p>Bezïde the flower's dousty bed,</p> +<p>An' though their work wer idle then,</p> +<p class="i2">They a-smilèn, an' a-tweilèn,</p> +<p>Still did work an' work ageän.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now their little limbs be stronger,</p> +<p class="i2">Deeper now their vaïce do sound;</p> +<p>An' their little veet be longer,</p> +<p class="i2">An' do tread on other ground;</p> +<p>An' rust is on the little bleädes</p> +<p class="i2">Ov all the broken-hafted speädes,</p> +<p>An' flow'rs that wer my hope an' pride</p> +<p>Ha' long agoo a-bloom'd an' died,</p> +<p>But still as I did leäbor then</p> +<p class="i2">Vor love ov all them childern small,</p> +<p>Zoo now I'll tweil an' tweil ageän.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the smokeless tun's a-growèn</p> +<p class="i2">Cwold as dew below the stars,</p> +<p>An' when the vier noo mwore's a-glowèn</p> +<p class="i2">Red between the window bars,</p> +<p>We then do lay our weary heads</p> +<p>In peace upon their nightly beds,</p> +<p>An' gi'e woone sock, wi' heavèn breast,</p> +<p>An' then breathe soft the breath o' rest,</p><a name="page398" id="page398"></a><span class="left">[page 398]</span> +<p>Till day do call the sons o' men</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom night-sleep's blackness, vull o' sprackness,</p> +<p>Out abroad to tweil ageän.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where the vaïce o' the winds is mildest,</p> +<p class="i2">In the plaïn, their stroke is keen;</p> +<p>Where their dreatnèn vaïce is wildest,</p> +<p class="i2">In the grove, the grove's our screen.</p> +<p>An' where the worold in their strife</p> +<p>Do dreatèn mwost our tweilsome life,</p> +<p>Why there Almighty ceäre mid cast</p> +<p>A better screen ageän the blast.</p> +<p>Zoo I woon't live in fear o' men,</p> +<p class="i2">But, man-neglected, God-directed,</p> +<p>Still wull tweil an' tweil ageän.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p398" id="p398"></a> + +<h4>FANCY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In stillness we ha' words to hear,</p> +<p class="i2">An' sheäpes to zee in darkest night,</p> +<p>An' tongues a-lost can haïl us near,</p> +<p class="i2">An' souls a-gone can smile in zight;</p> +<p>When Fancy now do wander back</p> +<p class="i2">To years a-spent, an' bring to mind</p> +<p class="i2">Zome happy tide a-left behind</p> +<p>In' weästèn life's slow-beatèn track.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When feädèn leaves do drip wi' raïn,</p> +<p class="i2">Our thoughts can ramble in the dry;</p> +<p>When Winter win' do zweep the plaïn</p> +<p class="i2">We still can have a zunny sky.</p> +<p>Vor though our limbs be winter-wrung,</p> +<p class="i2">We still can zee, wi' Fancy's eyes,</p> +<p class="i2">The brightest looks ov e'th an' skies,</p> +<p>That we did know when we wer young.</p></div> +<a name="page399" id="page399"></a><span class="left">[page 399]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In païn our thoughts can pass to eäse,</p> +<p class="i2">In work our souls can be at plaÿ,</p> +<p>An' leäve behind the chilly leäse</p> +<p class="i2">Vor warm-aïr'd meäds o' new mow'd haÿ.</p> +<p>When we do vlee in Fancy's flight</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom daily ills avore our feäce,</p> +<p class="i2">An' linger in zome happy pleäce</p> +<p>Ov mè'th an' smiles, an' warmth an' light.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p399" id="p399"></a> + +<h4>THE BROKEN HEART.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>News o' grief had overteäken</p> +<p>Dark-ey'd Fanny, now vorseäken;</p> +<p>There she zot, wi' breast a-heavèn,</p> +<p>While vrom zide to zide, wi' grievèn,</p> +<p>Vell her head, wi' tears a-creepèn</p> +<p>Down her cheäks, in bitter weepèn.</p> +<p>There wer still the ribbon-bow</p> +<p>She tied avore her hour ov woe,</p> +<p>An' there wer still the han's that tied it</p> +<p class="i8">Hangèn white,</p> +<p class="i8">Or wringèn tight,</p> +<p>In ceäre that drown'd all ceäre bezide it.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When a man, wi' heartless slightèn,</p> +<p>Mid become a maïden's blightèn,</p> +<p>He mid ceärlessly vorseäke her,</p> +<p>But must answer to her Meäker;</p> +<p>He mid slight, wi' selfish blindness,</p> +<p>All her deeds o' lovèn-kindness,</p> +<p>God wull waïgh em wi' the slightèn</p> +<p>That mid be her love's requitèn;</p> +<p>He do look on each deceiver,</p> +<p class="i8">He do know</p> +<p class="i8">What weight o' woe</p> +<p>Do breäk the heart ov ev'ry griever.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page400" id="page400"></a><span class="left">[page 400]</span> + +<h4>EVENÈN LIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The while I took my bit o' rest,</p> +<p class="i2">Below my house's eastern sheäde,</p> +<p class="i2">The things that stood in vield an' gleäde</p> +<p>Wer bright in zunsheen vrom the west.</p> +<p class="i2">There bright wer east-ward mound an' wall,</p> +<p class="i2">An' bright wer trees, arisèn tall,</p> +<p>An' bright did break 'ithin the brook,</p> +<p class="i2">Down rocks, the watervall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There deep 'ithin my pworches bow</p> +<p class="i2">Did hang my heavy woaken door,</p> +<p class="i2">An' in beyond en, on the vloor,</p> +<p>The evenèn dusk did gather slow;</p> +<p class="i2">But bright did gleäre the twinklèn spwokes</p> +<p class="i2">O' runnèn carriage wheels, as vo'ks</p> +<p>Out east did ride along the road,</p> +<p class="i2">Bezide the low-bough'd woaks,</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I'd a-lost the zun vrom view,</p> +<p class="i2">Until ageän his feäce mid rise,</p> +<p class="i2">A-sheenèn vrom the eastern skies</p> +<p>To brighten up the rwose-borne dew;</p> +<p class="i2">But still his lingrèn light did gi'e</p> +<p class="i2">My heart a touchèn jaÿ, to zee</p> +<p>His beams a-shed, wi' stratchèn sheäde,</p> +<p class="i2">On east-ward wall an' tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When jaÿ, a-zent me vrom above,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom my sad heart is now agone,</p> +<p class="i2">An' others be a-walkèn on,</p> +<p>Amid the light ov Heavèn's love,</p> +<p class="i2">Oh! then vor lovèn-kindness seäke,</p> +<p class="i2">Mid I rejäice that zome do teäke</p> +<p>My hopes a-gone, until ageän</p> +<p class="i2">My happy dawn do breäk.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page401" id="page401"></a><span class="left">[page 401]</span> + +<a name="p401" id="p401"></a> + +<h4>VIELDS BY WATERVALLS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When our downcast looks be smileless,</p> +<p class="i2">Under others' wrongs an' slightèns,</p> +<p>When our daily deeds be guileless,</p> +<p class="i2">An' do meet unkind requitèns,</p> +<p>You can meäke us zome amends</p> +<p>Vor wrongs o' foes, an' slights o' friends;—</p> +<p>O flow'ry-gleäded, timber-sheäded</p> +<p>Vields by flowèn watervalls!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Here be softest aïrs a-blowèn</p> +<p class="i2">Drough the boughs, wi' zingèn drushes,</p> +<p>Up above the streams, a-flowèn</p> +<p class="i2">Under willows, on by rushes.</p> +<p>Here below the bright-zunn'd sky</p> +<p>The dew-bespangled flow'rs do dry,</p> +<p>In woody-zided, stream-divided</p> +<p>Vields by flowèn watervalls.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Waters, wi' their giddy rollèns;</p> +<p class="i2">Breezes wi' their plaÿsome wooèns;</p> +<p>Here do heal, in soft consolèns,</p> +<p class="i2">Hearts a-wrung wi' man's wrong doèns.</p> +<p>Day do come to us as gaÿ</p> +<p>As to a king ov widest swaÿ,</p> +<p>In deäisy-whitèn'd, gil'cup-brightèn'd</p> +<p>Vields by flowèn watervalls.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zome feäir buds mid outlive blightèns,</p> +<p class="i2">Zome sweet hopes mid outlive sorrow.</p> +<p>After days of wrongs an' slightèns</p> +<p class="i2">There mid break a happy morrow.</p> +<p>We mid have noo e'thly love;</p> +<p>But God's love-tokens vrom above</p> +<p>Here mid meet us, here mid greet us,</p> +<p>In the vields by watervalls.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page402" id="page402"></a><span class="left">[page 402]</span> + +<h4>THE WHEEL ROUTS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Tis true I brought noo fortune hwome</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' Jenny, vor her honey-moon,</p> +<p>But still a goodish hansel come</p> +<p class="i2">Behind her perty soon,</p> +<p>Vor stick, an' dish, an' spoon, all vell</p> +<p>To Jeäne, vrom Aunt o' Camwy dell.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo all the lot o' stuff a-tied</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the plow, a tidy tod,</p> +<p>On gravel-crunchèn wheels did ride,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' ho'ses, iron-shod,</p> +<p>That, as their heads did nod, my whip</p> +<p>Did guide along wi' lightsome flip.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there it rod 'ithin the rwope,</p> +<p class="i2">Astraïn'd athirt, an' straïn'd along,</p> +<p>Down Thornhay's evenèn-lighted slope</p> +<p class="i2">An' up the beech-tree drong;</p> +<p>Where wheels a-bound so strong, cut out</p> +<p>On either zide a deep-zunk rout.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when at Fall the trees wer brown,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the bennet-bearèn land,</p> +<p>When beech-leaves slowly whiver'd down.</p> +<p class="i2">By evenèn winds a-fann'd;</p> +<p>The routs wer each a band o' red,</p> +<p>A-vill'd by drifted beech-leaves dead.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when, in Winter's leafless light,</p> +<p class="i2">The keener eastern wind did blow.</p> +<p>An' scatter down, avore my zight,</p> +<p class="i2">A chilly cwoat o' snow;</p> +<p>The routs ageän did show vull bright,</p> +<p>In two long streaks o' glitt'rèn white.</p></div> +<a name="page403" id="page403"></a><span class="left">[page 403]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when, upon our weddèn night,</p> +<p class="i2">The cart's light wheels, a-rollèn round,</p> +<p>Brought Jenny hwome, they run too light</p> +<p class="i2">To mark the yieldèn ground;</p> +<p>Or welcome would be vound a peäir</p> +<p>O' green-vill'd routs a-runnèn there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo let me never bring 'ithin</p> +<p class="i2">My dwellèn what's a-won by wrong,</p> +<p>An' can't come in 'ithout a sin;</p> +<p class="i2">Vor only zee how long</p> +<p>The waggon marks in drong, did show</p> +<p>Wï' leaves, wi' grass, wi' groun' wi' snow.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p403" id="p403"></a> + +<h4>NANNY'S NEW ABODE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now day by day, at lofty height,</p> +<p class="i2">O zummer noons, the burnèn zun</p> +<p>'Ve a-show'd avore our eastward zight,</p> +<p class="i2">The sky-blue zide ov Hameldon,</p> +<p>An' shone ageän, on new-mow'd ground,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' haÿ a-piled up grey in pook,</p> +<p>An' down on leäzes, bennet-brown'd,</p> +<p class="i2">An' wheat a-vell avore the hook;</p> +<p>Till, under elems tall,</p> +<p class="i2">The leaves do lie on leänèn lands,</p> +<p>In leäter light o' Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' last year, we did zee the red</p> +<p class="i2">O' dawn vrom Ash-knap's thatchen oves,</p> +<p>An' walk on crumpled leaves a-laid</p> +<p class="i2">In grassy rook-trees' timber'd groves,</p> +<p>Now, here, the cooler days do shrink</p> +<p class="i2">To vewer hours o' zunny sky,</p> +<p>While zedge, a-weävèn by the brink</p> +<p class="i2">O' shallow brooks, do slowly die.</p><a name="page404" id="page404"></a><span class="left">[page 404]</span> +<p>An' on the timber tall,</p> +<p class="i2">The boughs, half beäre, do bend above</p> +<p>The bulgèn banks in Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There, we'd a spring o' water near,</p> +<p class="i2">Here, water's deep in wink-draïn'd wells,</p> +<p>The church 'tis true, is nigh out here,</p> +<p class="i2">Too nigh wi' vive loud-boomèn bells.</p> +<p>There, naïghbours wer vull wide a-spread,</p> +<p class="i2">But vo'k be here too clwose a-stow'd.</p> +<p>Vor childern now do stun woone's head,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' naïsy plaÿ bezide the road,</p> +<p>Where big so well as small,</p> +<p class="i2">The little lad, an' lump'rèn lout,</p> +<p>Do leäp an' laugh theäse Fall.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p404" id="p404"></a> + +<h4>LEAVES A-VALLÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There the ash-tree leaves do vall</p> +<p class="i2">In the wind a-blowèn cwolder,</p> +<p>An' my childern, tall or small,</p> +<p class="i2">Since last Fall be woone year wolder.</p> +<p>Woone year wolder, woone year dearer,</p> +<p class="i2">Till when they do leave my he'th,</p> +<p>I shall be noo mwore a hearer</p> +<p class="i2">O' their vaïces or their me'th.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There dead ash leaves be a-toss'd</p> +<p class="i2">In the wind, a-blowèn stronger,</p> +<p>An' our life-time, since we lost</p> +<p class="i2">Souls we lov'd, is woone year longer.</p> +<p>Woone year longer, woone year wider,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom the friends that death ha' took,</p> +<p>As the hours do teäke the rider</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom the hand that last he shook.</p></div> +<a name="page405" id="page405"></a><span class="left">[page 405]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No. If he do ride at night</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom the zide the zun went under,</p> +<p>Woone hour vrom his western light</p> +<p class="i2">Needen meäke woone hour asunder;</p> +<p>Woone hour onward, woone hour nigher</p> +<p class="i2">To the hopeful eastern skies,</p> +<p>Where his mornèn rim o' vier</p> +<p class="i2">Soon ageän shall meet his eyes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Leaves be now a-scatter'd round</p> +<p class="i2">In the wind, a-blowèn bleaker,</p> +<p>An' if we do walk the ground</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' our life-strangth woone year weaker.</p> +<p>Woone year weaker, woone year nigher</p> +<p class="i2">To the pleäce where we shall vind</p> +<p>Woone that's deathless vor the dier,</p> +<p class="i2">Voremost they that dropp'd behind.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p405" id="p405"></a> + +<h4>LIZZIE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O Lizzie is so mild o' mind,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor ever kind, an' ever true;</p> +<p>A-smilèn, while her lids do rise</p> +<p class="i2">To show her eyes as bright as dew.</p> +<p>An' comely do she look at night,</p> +<p>A-dancèn in her skirt o' white,</p> +<p>An' blushèn wi' a rwose o' red</p> +<p>Bezide her glossy head.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Feäir is the rwose o' blushèn hue,</p> +<p class="i2">Behung wi' dew, in mornèn's hour,</p> +<p>Feäir is the rwose, so sweet below</p> +<p class="i2">The noontide glow, bezide the bow'r.</p> +<p>Vull feäir, an' eet I'd rather zee</p> +<p>The rwose a-gather'd off the tree,</p> +<p>An' bloomèn still with blossom red,</p> +<p>By Lizzie's glossy head.</p></div> +<a name="page406" id="page406"></a><span class="left">[page 406]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Mid peace droughout her e'thly day,</p> +<p class="i2">Betide her way, to happy rest,</p> +<p>An' mid she, all her weanèn life,</p> +<p class="i2">Or maïd or wife, be loved and blest.</p> +<p>Though I mid never zing anew</p> +<p>To neäme the maïd so feäir an' true,</p> +<p>A-blushèn, wi' a rwose o' red,</p> +<p>Bezide her glossy head.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p406" id="p406"></a> + +<h4>BLESSENS A-LEFT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Lik' souls a-toss'd at sea I bore</p> +<p class="i2">Sad strokes o' trial, shock by shock,</p> +<p>An' now, lik' souls a-cast ashore</p> +<p class="i2">To rest upon the beäten rock,</p> +<p>I still do seem to hear the sound</p> +<p>O' weäves that drove me vrom my track,</p> +<p>An' zee my strugglèn hopes a-drown'd,</p> +<p>An' all my jaÿs a-floated back.</p> +<p>By storms a-toss'd, I'll gi'e God praïse,</p> +<p>Wi' much a-lost I still ha' jaÿs.</p> +<p>My peace is rest, my faïth is hope,</p> +<p>An' freedom's my unbounded scope.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor faïth mid blunt the sting o' fear,</p> +<p class="i2">An' peace the pangs ov ills a-vound,</p> +<p>An' freedom vlee vrom evils near,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' wings to vwold on other ground,</p> +<p>Wi' much a-lost, my loss is small,</p> +<p>Vor though ov e'thly goods bereft,</p> +<p>A thousand times well worth em all</p> +<p>Be they good blessèns now a-left.</p> +<p>What e'th do own, to e'th mid vall,</p> +<p>But what's my own my own I'll call,</p> +<p>My faïth, an' peäce, the gifts o' greäce,</p> +<p>An' freedom still to shift my pleäce.</p></div> +<a name="page407" id="page407"></a><span class="left">[page 407]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When I've a-had a tree to screen</p> +<p class="i2">My meal-rest vrom the high zunn'd-sky,</p> +<p>Or ivy-holdèn wall between</p> +<p class="i2">My head an' win's a-rustlèn by,</p> +<p>I had noo call vor han's to bring</p> +<p>Their seäv'ry daïnties at my nod,</p> +<p>But stoop'd a-drinkèn vrom the spring,</p> +<p>An' took my meal, wi' thanks to God,</p> +<p>Wi' faïth to keep me free o' dread,</p> +<p>An' peäce to sleep wi' steadvast head,</p> +<p>An' freedom's hands, an' veet unbound</p> +<p>To woone man's work, or woone seäme ground.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p407" id="p407"></a> + +<h4>FALL TIME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The gather'd clouds, a-hangèn low,</p> +<p class="i2">Do meäke the woody ridge look dim;</p> +<p>An' raïn-vill'd streams do brisker flow,</p> +<p class="i2">Arisèn higher to their brim.</p> +<p>In the tree, vrom lim' to lim',</p> +<p class="i8">Leaves do drop</p> +<p>Vrom the top, all slowly down,</p> +<p>Yollow, to the gloomy groun'.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The rick's a-tipp'd an' weather-brown'd,</p> +<p class="i2">An' thatch'd wi' zedge a-dried an' dead;</p> +<p>An' orcha'd apples, red half round,</p> +<p class="i2">Have all a-happer'd down, a-shed</p> +<p>Underneath the trees' wide head.</p> +<p class="i8">Ladders long,</p> +<p>Rong by rong, to clim' the tall</p> +<p>Trees, be hung upon the wall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The crumpled leaves be now a-shed</p> +<p class="i2">In mornèn winds a-blowèn keen;</p> +<p>When they wer green the moss wer dead,</p> +<p class="i2">Now they be dead the moss is green.</p><a name="page408" id="page408"></a><span class="left">[page 408]</span> +<p>Low the evenèn zun do sheen</p> +<p class="i4">By the boughs,</p> +<p>Where the cows do swing their taïls</p> +<p>Over the merry milkers' païls.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p408" id="p408"></a> + +<h4>FALL.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now the yollow zun, a-runnèn</p> +<p class="i2">Daily round a smaller bow,</p> +<p>Still wi' cloudless sky's a-zunnèn</p> +<p class="i2">All the sheenèn land below.</p> +<p class="i2">Vewer blossoms now do blow,</p> +<p>But the fruit's a-showèn</p> +<p class="i2">Reds an' blues, an' purple hues,</p> +<p>By the leaves a-glowèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now the childern be a-pryèn</p> +<p class="i2">Roun' the berried bremble-bow,</p> +<p>Zome a-laughèn, woone a-cryèn</p> +<p class="i2">Vor the slent her frock do show.</p> +<p class="i2">Bwoys be out a-pullèn low</p> +<p>Slooe-boughs, or a-runnèn</p> +<p class="i2">Where, on zides of hazzle-wrides,</p> +<p>Nuts do hang a-zunnèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where do reach roun' wheat-ricks yollow</p> +<p class="i2">Oves o' thatch, in long-drawn ring,</p> +<p>There, by stubbly hump an' hollow,</p> +<p class="i2">Russet-dappled dogs do spring.</p> +<p class="i2">Soon my apple-trees wull fling</p> +<p>Bloomèn balls below em,</p> +<p class="i2">That shall hide, on ev'ry zide</p> +<p>Ground where we do drow em.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page409" id="page409"></a><span class="left">[page 409]</span> + +<h4>THE ZILVER-WEED.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The zilver-weed upon the green,</p> +<p class="i2">Out where my sons an' daughters play'd,</p> +<p>Had never time to bloom between</p> +<p class="i2">The litty steps o' bwoy an' maïd.</p> +<p>But rwose-trees down along the wall,</p> +<p class="i2">That then wer all the maïden's ceäre,</p> +<p>An' all a-trimm'd an' traïn'd, did bear</p> +<p class="i2">Their bloomèn buds vrom Spring to Fall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But now the zilver leaves do show</p> +<p class="i2">To zummer day their goolden crown,</p> +<p>Wi' noo swift shoe-zoles' litty blow,</p> +<p class="i2">In merry plaÿ to beät em down.</p> +<p>An' where vor years zome busy hand</p> +<p class="i2">Did traïn the rwoses wide an' high;</p> +<p>Now woone by woone the trees do die,</p> +<p class="i2">An' vew of all the row do stand.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p409" id="p409"></a> + +<h4>THE WIDOW'S HOUSE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I went hwome in the dead o' the night,</p> +<p class="i2">When the vields wer all empty o' vo'k,</p> +<p>An' the tuns at their cool-winded height</p> +<p class="i2">Wer all dark, an' all cwold 'ithout smoke;</p> +<p>An' the heads o' the trees that I pass'd</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-swayèn wi' low-ruslèn sound,</p> +<p>An' the doust wer a-whirl'd wi' the blast,</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, a smeech wi' the wind on the ground.</p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> +<p>Then I come by the young widow's hatch,</p> +<p class="i2">Down below the wold elem's tall head,</p> +<p>But noo vinger did lift up the latch,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor the vo'k wer so still as the dead;</p><a name="page410" id="page410"></a><span class="left">[page 410]</span> +<p>But inside, to a tree a-meäde vast,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer the childern's light swing, a-hung low,</p> +<p>An' a-rock'd by the brisk-blowèn blast,</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, a-swung by the win' to an' fro.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor the childern, wi' pillow-borne head,</p> +<p class="i2">Had vorgotten their swing on the lawn,</p> +<p>An' their father, asleep wi' the dead,</p> +<p class="i2">Had vorgotten his work at the dawn;</p> +<p>An' their mother, a vew stilly hours,</p> +<p class="i2">Had vorgotten where he sleept so sound,</p> +<p>Where the wind wer a-sheäkèn the flow'rs,</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, the blast the feäir buds on the ground.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! the moon, wi' his peäle lighted skies,</p> +<p class="i2">Have his sorrowless sleepers below.</p> +<p>But by day to the zun they must rise</p> +<p class="i2">To their true lives o' tweil an' ov ho.</p> +<p>Then the childern wull rise to their fun,</p> +<p class="i2">An' their mother mwore sorrow to veel,</p> +<p>While the aïr is a-warm'd by the zun,</p> +<p class="i2">Aye, the win' by the day's vi'ry wheel.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p410" id="p410"></a> + +<h4>THE CHILD'S GREÄVE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Avore the time when zuns went down</p> +<p>On zummer's green a-turn'd to brown,</p> +<p>When sheädes o' swaÿèn wheat-eärs vell</p> +<p>Upon the scarlet pimpernel;</p> +<p>The while you still mid goo, an' vind</p> +<p class="i2">'Ithin the geärden's mossy wall,</p> +<p class="i2">Sweet blossoms, low or risèn tall,</p> +<p>To meäke a tutty to your mind,</p> +<p>In churchyard heav'd, wi' grassy breast,</p> +<p>The greäve-mound ov a beäby's rest.</p></div> +<a name="page411" id="page411"></a><span class="left">[page 411]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when a high day broke, to call</p> +<p>A throng 'ithin the churchyard wall,</p> +<p>The mother brought, wi' thoughtvul mind,</p> +<p>The feäirest buds her eyes could vind,</p> +<p>To trim the little greäve, an' show</p> +<p class="i2">To other souls her love an' loss,</p> +<p class="i2">An' meäde a Seävior's little cross</p> +<p>O' brightest flow'rs that then did blow,</p> +<p>A-droppèn tears a-sheenèn bright,</p> +<p>Among the dew, in mornèn light</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' woone sweet bud her han' did pleäce</p> +<p>Up where did droop the Seävior's feäce;</p> +<p>An' two she zet a-bloomèn bright,</p> +<p>Where reach'd His hands o' left an' right;</p> +<p>Two mwore feäir blossoms, crimson dyed,</p> +<p class="i2">Did mark the pleäces ov his veet,</p> +<p class="i2">An' woone did lie, a-smellèn sweet,</p> +<p>Up where the spear did wound the zide</p> +<p>Ov Him that is the life ov all</p> +<p>Greäve sleepers, whether big or small.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The mother that in faïth could zee</p> +<p>The Seävior on the high cross tree</p> +<p>Mid be a-vound a-grievèn sore,</p> +<p>But not to grieve vor evermwore,</p> +<p>Vor He shall show her faïthvul mind,</p> +<p class="i2">His chaïce is all that she should choose,</p> +<p class="i2">An' love that here do grieve to lose,</p> +<p>Shall be, above, a jaÿ to vind,</p> +<p>Wi' Him that evermwore shall keep</p> +<p>The souls that He do lay asleep.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page412" id="page412"></a><span class="left">[page 412]</span> + +<h4>WENT VROM HWOME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The stream-be-wander'd dell did spread</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom height to woody height,</p> +<p>An' meäds did lie, a grassy bed,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor elem-sheädèn light.</p> +<p>The milkmaïd by her white-horn'd cow,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' païl so white as snow,</p> +<p>Did zing below the elem bough</p> +<p class="i2">A-swaÿèn to an' fro.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' there the evenèn's low-shot light</p> +<p class="i2">Did smite the high tree-tops,</p> +<p>An' rabbits vrom the grass, in fright,</p> +<p class="i2">Did leäp 'ithin the copse.</p> +<p>An' there the shepherd wi' his crook.</p> +<p class="i2">An' dog bezide his knee,</p> +<p>Went whisslèn by, in aïr that shook</p> +<p class="i2">The ivy on the tree.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' on the hill, ahead, wer bars</p> +<p class="i2">A-showèn dark on high,</p> +<p>Avore, as eet, the evenèn stars</p> +<p class="i2">Did twinkle in the sky,</p> +<p>An' then the last sweet evenèn-tide</p> +<p class="i2">That my long sheäde vell there,</p> +<p>I went down Brindon's thymy zide,</p> +<p class="i2">To my last sleep at Ware.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p412" id="p412"></a> + +<h4>THE FANCY FEÄIR AT MAÏDEN NEWTON.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The Frome, wi' ever-water'd brink,</p> +<p>Do run where shelvèn hills do zink</p> +<p>Wi' housen all a-cluster'd roun'</p> +<p>The parish tow'rs below the down.</p><a name="page413" id="page413"></a><span class="left">[page 413]</span> +<p>An' now, vor woonce, at leäst, ov all</p> +<p>The pleäcen where the stream do vall,</p> +<p>There's woone that zome to-day mid vind,</p> +<p>Wi' things a-suited to their mind.</p> +<p class="i8">An' that's out where the Fancy Feäir</p> +<p class="i8">Is on at Maïden Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' vo'k, a-smarten'd up, wull hop</p> +<p>Out here, as ev'ry traïn do stop,</p> +<p>Vrom up the line, a longish ride,</p> +<p>An' down along the river-zide.</p> +<p>An' zome do beät, wi' heels an' tooes,</p> +<p>The leänes an' paths, in nimble shoes,</p> +<p>An' bring, bezides, a biggish knot,</p> +<p>Ov all their childern that can trot,</p> +<p class="i8">A-vlockèn where the Fancy Feäir</p> +<p class="i8">Is here at Maïden Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If you should goo, to-day, avore</p> +<p>A <i>Chilfrome</i> house or <i>Downfrome</i> door,</p> +<p>Or <i>Frampton's</i> park-zide row, or look</p> +<p>Drough quiet <i>Wraxall's</i> slopy nook,</p> +<p>Or elbow-streeted <i>Catt'stock</i>, down</p> +<p>By <i>Castlehill's</i> cwold-winded crown,</p> +<p>An' zee if vo'k be all at hwome,</p> +<p>You'd vind em out—they be a-come</p> +<p class="i8">Out hither, where the Fancy Feäir</p> +<p class="i8">Is on at Maïden Newton.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Come, young men, come, an' here you'll vind</p> +<p>A gift to please a maïden's mind;</p> +<p>Come, husbands, here be gifts to please</p> +<p>Your wives, an' meäke em smile vor days;</p> +<p>Come, so's, an' buy at Fancy Feäir</p> +<p>A keepseäke vor your friends elsewhere;</p><a name="page414" id="page414"></a><span class="left">[page 414]</span> +<p>You can't but stop an' spend a cwein</p> +<p>Wi' leädies that ha' goods so fine;</p> +<p class="i8">An' all to meake, vor childern's seäke,</p> +<p class="i8">The School at Maïden Newton.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p414" id="p414"></a> + +<h4>THINGS DO COME ROUND.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Above the leafless hazzle-wride</p> +<p class="i2">The wind-drove raïn did quickly vall,</p> +<p>An' on the meäple's ribby zide</p> +<p class="i2">Did hang the raïn-drops quiv'rèn ball;</p> +<p>Out where the brook o' foamy yollow</p> +<p>Roll'd along the meäd's deep hollow,</p> +<p>An' noo birds wer out to beät,</p> +<p>Wi' flappèn wings, the vleèn wet</p> +<p>O' zunless clouds on flow'rless ground.</p> +<p>How time do bring the seasons round!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The moss, a-beät vrom trees, did lie</p> +<p class="i2">Upon the ground in ashen droves,</p> +<p>An' western wind did huffle high,</p> +<p class="i2">Above the sheds' quick-drippèn oves.</p> +<p>An' where the ruslèn straw did sound</p> +<p class="i2">So dry, a-shelter'd in the lew,</p> +<p>I staïed alwone, an' weather-bound,</p> +<p class="i2">An' thought on times, long years agoo,</p> +<p>Wi' water-floods on flow'rless ground.</p> +<p>How time do bring the seasons round!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We then, in childhood plaÿ, did seem</p> +<p class="i2">In work o' men to teäke a peärt,</p> +<p>A-drevèn on our wild bwoy team,</p> +<p class="i2">Or lwoadèn o' the tiny cart.</p> +<p>Or, on our little refters, spread</p> +<p>The zedgen ruf above our head,</p><a name="page415" id="page415"></a><span class="left">[page 415]</span> +<p>But coulden tell, as now we can,</p> +<p>Where each would goo to tweil a man.</p> +<p>O jaÿs a-lost, an' jaÿs a-vound,</p> +<p>How Providence do bring things round!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Where woonce along the sky o' blue</p> +<p class="i2">The zun went roun' his longsome bow,</p> +<p>An' brighten'd, to my soul, the view</p> +<p class="i2">About our little farm below.</p> +<p>There I did plaÿ the merry geäme,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' childern ev'ry holitide,</p> +<p>But coulden tell the vaïce or neäme</p> +<p class="i2">That time would vind to be my bride.</p> +<p>O hwome a-left, O wife a-vound,</p> +<p>How Providence do bring things round!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when I took my manhood's pleäce,</p> +<p class="i2">A husband to a wife's true vow,</p> +<p>I never thought by neäme or feäce</p> +<p class="i2">O' childern that be round me now.</p> +<p>An' now they all do grow vrom small,</p> +<p>Drough life's feäir sheäpes to big an' tall,</p> +<p>I still be blind to God's good plan,</p> +<p>To pleäce em out as wife, or man.</p> +<p>O thread o' love by God unwound,</p> +<p>How He in time do bring things round;</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p415" id="p415"></a> + +<h4>ZUMMER THOUGHTS IN WINTER TIME.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Well, aye, last evenèn, as I shook</p> +<p>My locks ov haÿ by Leecombe brook.</p> +<p>The yollow zun did weakly glance</p> +<p>Upon the winter meäd askance,</p> +<p>A-castèn out my narrow sheäde</p> +<p>Athirt the brook, an' on the meäd.</p><a name="page416" id="page416"></a><span class="left">[page 416]</span> +<p>The while ageän my lwonesome ears</p> +<p>Did russle weatherbeäten spears,</p> +<p>Below the withy's leafless head</p> +<p>That overhung the river's bed;</p> +<p>I there did think o' days that dried</p> +<p>The new-mow'd grass o' zummer-tide,</p> +<p>When white-sleev'd mowers' whetted bleädes</p> +<p>Rung sh'ill along the green-bough'd gleädes,</p> +<p>An' maïdens gaÿ, wi' plaÿsome chaps,</p> +<p>A-zot wi' dinners in their laps,</p> +<p>Did talk wi' merry words that rung</p> +<p>Around the ring, vrom tongue to tongue;</p> +<p>An' welcome, when the leaves ha' died,</p> +<p>Be zummer thoughts in winter-tide.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p416" id="p416"></a> + +<h4>I'M OUT O' DOOR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'm out, when, in the Winter's blast,</p> +<p class="i2">The zun, a-runnèn lowly round,</p> +<p>Do mark the sheädes the hedge do cast</p> +<p class="i2">At noon, in hoarvrost, on the ground,</p> +<p>I'm out when snow's a-lyèn white</p> +<p class="i2">In keen-aïr'd vields that I do pass,</p> +<p>An' moonbeams, vrom above, do smite</p> +<p class="i2">On ice an' sleeper's window-glass.</p> +<p class="i8">I'm out o' door,</p> +<p class="i8">When win' do zweep,</p> +<p class="i8">By hangèn steep,</p> +<p class="i8">Or hollow deep,</p> +<p class="i16"> At Lindenore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O welcome is the lewth a-vound</p> +<p class="i2">By rustlèn copse, or ivied bank,</p> +<p>Or by the haÿ-rick, weather-brown'd</p> +<p class="i2">By barken-grass, a-springèn rank;</p><a name="page417" id="page417"></a><span class="left">[page 417]</span> +<p>Or where the waggon, vrom the team</p> +<p class="i2">A-freed, is well a-housed vrom wet,</p> +<p>An' on the dousty cart-house beam</p> +<p class="i2">Do hang the cobweb's white-lin'd net.</p> +<p class="i8">While storms do roar,</p> +<p class="i8">An' win' do zweep,</p> +<p class="i8">By hangèn steep,</p> +<p class="i8">Or hollow deep,</p> +<p class="i16"> At Lindenore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when a good day's work's a-done</p> +<p class="i2">An' I do rest, the while a squall</p> +<p>Do rumble in the hollow tun,</p> +<p class="i2">An' ivy-stems do whip the wall.</p> +<p>Then in the house do sound about</p> +<p class="i2">My ears, dear vaïces vull or thin,</p> +<p>A praÿèn vor the souls vur out</p> +<p class="i2">At sea, an' cry wi' bibb'rèn chin—</p> +<p class="i8">Oh! shut the door.</p> +<p class="i8">What soul can sleep,</p> +<p class="i8">Upon the deep,</p> +<p class="i8">When storms do zweep</p> +<p class="i16"> At Lindenore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p417" id="p417"></a> + +<h4>GRIEF AN' GLADNESS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Can all be still, when win's do blow?</p> +<p class="i2">Look down the grove an' zee</p> +<p class="i2">The boughs a-swingèn on the tree,</p> +<p>An' beäten weäves below.</p> +<p>Zee how the tweilèn vo'k do bend</p> +<p class="i2">Upon their windward track,</p> +<p>Wi' ev'ry string, an' garment's end,</p> +<p class="i2">A-flutt'rèn at their back."</p><a name="page418" id="page418"></a><span class="left">[page 418]</span> +<p>I cried, wi' sorrow sore a-tried,</p> +<p>An' hung, wi' Jenny at my zide,</p> +<p class="i2">My head upon my breast.</p> +<p>Wi' strokes o' grief so hard to bear,</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis hard vor souls to rest.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Can all be dull, when zuns do glow?</p> +<p class="i2">Oh! no; look down the grove,</p> +<p class="i2">Where zides o' trees be bright above;</p> +<p>An' weäves do sheen below;</p> +<p>An' neäked stems o' wood in hedge</p> +<p class="i2">Do gleäm in streäks o' light,</p> +<p>An' rocks do gleäre upon the ledge</p> +<p class="i2">O' yonder zunny height,</p> +<p>"No, Jeäne, wi' trials now withdrawn,</p> +<p>Lik' darkness at a happy dawn."</p> +<p class="i2">I cried, "Noo mwore despair;</p> +<p>Wi' our lost peace ageän a-vound,</p> +<p class="i2">'Tis wrong to harbour ceäre."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p418" id="p418"></a> + +<h4>SLIDÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p class="i8">When wind wer keen,</p> +<p class="i8">Where ivy-green</p> +<p class="i8">Did clwosely wind</p> +<p class="i8">Roun' woak-tree rind,</p> +<p class="i8">An' ice shone bright,</p> +<p>An' meäds wer white, wi' thin-spread snow</p> +<p class="i2">Then on the pond, a-spreadèn wide,</p> +<p class="i2">We bwoys did zweep along the slide,</p> +<p>A-strikèn on in merry row.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i8">There ruddÿ-feäced,</p> +<p class="i8">In busy heäste,</p><a name="page419" id="page419"></a><span class="left">[page 419]</span> +<p class="i8">We all did wag</p> +<p class="i8">A spankèn lag,</p> +<p class="i8">To win good speed,</p> +<p>When we, straïght-knee'd, wi' foreright tooes,</p> +<p class="i2">Should shoot along the slipp'ry track,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' grindèn sound, a-gettèn slack,</p> +<p>The slower went our clumpèn shoes.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i8">Vor zome slow chap,</p> +<p class="i8">Did teäke mishap,</p> +<p class="i8">As he did veel</p> +<p class="i8">His hinder heel</p> +<p class="i8">A-het a thump,</p> +<p>Wi' zome big lump, o' voot an' shoe.</p> +<p class="i2">Down vell the voremost wi' a squall,</p> +<p class="i2">An' down the next went wi' a sprawl,</p> +<p>An' down went all the laughèn crew.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i8">As to an' fro,</p> +<p class="i8">In merry row,</p> +<p class="i8">We all went round</p> +<p class="i8">On ice, on ground</p> +<p class="i8">The maïdens nigh</p> +<p>A-stannèn shy, did zee us slide,</p> +<p class="i2">An' in their eäprons small, did vwold</p> +<p class="i2">Their little hands, a-got red-cwold,</p> +<p>Or slide on ice o' two veet wide.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i8">By leafless copse,</p> +<p class="i8">An' beäre tree-tops,</p> +<p class="i8">An' zun's low beams,</p> +<p class="i8">An' ice-boun' streams,</p> +<p class="i8">An' vrost-boun' mill,</p> +<p>A-stannèn still. Come wind, blow on,</p> +<p class="i2">An' gi'e the bwoys, this Chris'mas tide,</p> +<p class="i2">The glitt'rèn ice to meäke a slide,</p> +<p>As we had our slide, years agone.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page420" id="page420"></a><span class="left">[page 420]</span> + +<h4>LWONESOMENESS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I do zew, wi' nimble hand,</p> +<p class="i2">In here avore the window's light,</p> +<p>How still do all the housegear stand</p> +<p class="i2">Around my lwonesome zight.</p> +<p>How still do all the housegear stand</p> +<p>Since Willie now 've a-left the land.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The rwose-tree's window-sheädèn bow</p> +<p class="i2">Do hang in leaf, an' win'-blow'd flow'rs,</p> +<p>Avore my lwonesome eyes do show</p> +<p class="i2">Theäse bright November hours.</p> +<p>Avore my lwonesome eyes do show</p> +<p>Wi' nwone but I to zee em blow.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The sheädes o' leafy buds, avore</p> +<p class="i2">The peänes, do sheäke upon the glass,</p> +<p>An' stir in light upon the vloor,</p> +<p class="i2">Where now vew veet do pass,</p> +<p>An' stir in light upon the vloor,</p> +<p>Where there's a-stirrèn nothèn mwore.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>This win' mid dreve upon the maïn,</p> +<p class="i2">My brother's ship, a-plowèn foam,</p> +<p>But not bring mother, cwold, nor raïn,</p> +<p class="i2">At her now happy hwome.</p> +<p>But not bring mother, cwold, nor raïn,</p> +<p>Where she is out o' pain.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zoo now that I'm a-mwopèn dumb,</p> +<p class="i2">A-keepèn father's house, do you</p> +<p>Come of'en wi' your work vrom hwome,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor company. Now do.</p> +<p>Come of'en wi' your work vrom hwome,</p> +<p>Up here a-while. Do come.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page421" id="page421"></a><span class="left">[page 421]</span> + +<h4>A SNOWY NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer at night, an' a keen win' did blow</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom the east under peäle-twinklèn stars,</p> +<p>All a-zweepèn along the white snow;</p> +<p class="i2">On the groun', on the trees, on the bars,</p> +<p>Vrom the hedge where the win' russled drough,</p> +<p class="i2">There a light-russlèn snow-doust did vall;</p> +<p>An' noo pleäce wer a-vound that wer lew,</p> +<p class="i2">But the shed, or the ivy-hung wall.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then I knock'd at the wold passage door</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' the win'-driven snow on my locks;</p> +<p>Till, a-comèn along the cwold vloor,</p> +<p class="i2">There my Jenny soon answer'd my knocks.</p> +<p>Then the wind, by the door a-swung wide,</p> +<p class="i2">Flung some snow in her clear-bloomèn feäce,</p> +<p>An' she blink'd wi' her head all a-zide,</p> +<p class="i2">An' a-chucklèn, went back to her pleäce.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' in there, as we zot roun' the brands,</p> +<p class="i2">Though the talkers wer maïnly the men,</p> +<p>Bloomèn Jeäne, wi' her work in her hands,</p> +<p class="i2">Did put in a good word now an' then.</p> +<p>An' when I took my leave, though so bleäk</p> +<p class="i2">Wer the weather, she went to the door,</p> +<p>Wi' a smile, an' a blush on the cheäk</p> +<p class="i2">That the snow had a-smitten avore.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p421" id="p421"></a> + +<h4>THE YEAR-CLOCK.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We zot bezide the leäfy wall,</p> +<p>Upon the bench at evenfall,</p> +<p>While aunt led off our minds vrom ceäre</p> +<p>Wi' veäiry teäles, I can't tell where:</p><a name="page422" id="page422"></a><span class="left">[page 422]</span> +<p>An' vound us woone among her stock</p> +<p>O' feäbles, o' the girt Year-clock.</p> +<p>His feäce wer blue's the zummer skies,</p> +<p>An' wide's the zight o' lookèn eyes,</p> +<p>For hands, a zun wi' glowèn feäce,</p> +<p>An' peäler moon wi' swifter peäce,</p> +<p>Did wheel by stars o' twinklèn light,</p> +<p>By bright-wall'd day, an' dark-treed night;</p> +<p>An' down upon the high-sky'd land,</p> +<p>A-reachèn wide, on either hand,</p> +<p>Wer hill an' dell wi' win'-swaÿ'd trees,</p> +<p>An' lights a-zweepèn over seas,</p> +<p>An' gleamèn cliffs, an' bright-wall'd tow'rs,</p> +<p>Wi' sheädes a-markèn on the hours;</p> +<p>An' as the feäce, a-rollèn round,</p> +<p>Brought comely sheäpes along the ground.</p> +<p>The Spring did come in winsome steäte</p> +<p>Below a glowèn raïnbow geäte;</p> +<p>An' fan wi' aïr a-blowèn weak,</p> +<p>Her glossy heäir, an' rwosy cheäk,</p> +<p>As she did shed vrom oben hand,</p> +<p>The leäpèn zeed on vurrow'd land;</p> +<p>The while the rook, wi' heästy flight,</p> +<p>A-floatèn in the glowèn light,</p> +<p>Did bear avore her glossy breast</p> +<p>A stick to build her lofty nest,</p> +<p>An' strong-limb'd Tweil, wi' steady hands,</p> +<p>Did guide along the vallow lands</p> +<p>The heavy zull, wi' bright-sheär'd beam,</p> +<p>Avore the weäry oxen team,</p> +<p>Wi' Spring a-gone there come behind</p> +<p>Sweet Zummer, jaÿ ov ev'ry mind,</p> +<p>Wi' feäce a-beamèn to beguile</p> +<p>Our weäry souls ov ev'ry tweil.</p> +<p>While birds did warble in the dell</p> +<p>In softest aïr o' sweetest smell;</p><a name="page423" id="page423"></a><span class="left">[page 423]</span> +<p>An' she, so winsome-feäir did vwold</p> +<p>Her comely limbs in green an' goold,</p> +<p>An' wear a rwosy wreath, wi' studs</p> +<p>O' berries green, an' new-born buds,</p> +<p>A-fring'd in colours vier-bright,</p> +<p>Wi' sheäpes o' buttervlees in flight.</p> +<p>When Zummer went, the next ov all</p> +<p>Did come the sheäpe o' brown-feäc'd Fall,</p> +<p>A-smilèn in a comely gown</p> +<p>O' green, a-shot wi' yellow-brown,</p> +<p>A-border'd wi' a goolden stripe</p> +<p>O' fringe, a-meäde o' corn-ears ripe,</p> +<p>An' up ageän her comely zide,</p> +<p>Upon her rounded eärm, did ride</p> +<p>A perty basket, all a-twin'd</p> +<p>O' slender stems wi' leaves an' rind,</p> +<p>A-vill'd wi' fruit the trees did shed,</p> +<p>All ripe, in purple, goold, an' red;</p> +<p>An' busy Leäbor there did come</p> +<p>A-zingèn zongs ov harvest hwome,</p> +<p>An' red-ear'd dogs did briskly run</p> +<p>Roun' cheervul Leisure wi' his gun,</p> +<p>Or stan' an' mark, wi' stedvast zight,</p> +<p>The speckled pa'tridge rise in flight.</p> +<p>An' next ageän to mild-feäc'd Fall</p> +<p>Did come peäle Winter, last ov all,</p> +<p>A-bendèn down, in thoughtvul mood,</p> +<p>Her head 'ithin a snow-white hood</p> +<p>A-deck'd wi' icy-jewels, bright</p> +<p>An' cwold as twinklèn stars o' night;</p> +<p>An' there wer weary Leäbor, slack</p> +<p>O' veet to keep her vrozen track,</p> +<p>A-lookèn off, wi' wistful eyes,</p> +<p>To reefs o' smoke, that there did rise</p> +<p>A-meltèn to the peäle-feäc'd zun,</p> +<p>Above the houses' lofty tun.</p><a name="page424" id="page424"></a><span class="left">[page 424]</span> +<p>An' there the girt Year-clock did goo</p> +<p>By day an' night, vor ever true,</p> +<p>Wi' mighty wheels a-rollèn round</p> +<p>'Ithout a beät, 'ithout a sound.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p424" id="p424"></a> + +<h4>NOT GOO HWOME TO-NIGHT.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>No, no, why you've noo wife at hwome</p> +<p>Abidèn up till you do come,</p> +<p>Zoo leäve your hat upon the pin,</p> +<p>Vor I'm your waïter. Here's your inn,</p> +<p>Wi' chair to rest, an' bed to roost;</p> +<p>You have but little work to do</p> +<p>This vrosty time at hwome in mill,</p> +<p>Your vrozen wheel's a-stannèn still,</p> +<p>The sleepèn ice woont grind vor you.</p> +<p>No, no, you woont goo hwome to-night,</p> +<p>Good Robin White, o' Craglin mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>As I come by, to-day, where stood</p> +<p>Wi' neäked trees, the purple wood,</p> +<p>The scarlet hunter's ho'ses veet</p> +<p>Tore up the sheäkèn ground, wind-fleet,</p> +<p>Wi' reachèn heads, an' pankèn hides;</p> +<p>The while the flat-wing'd rooks in vlock.</p> +<p>Did zwim a-sheenèn at their height;</p> +<p>But your good river, since last night,</p> +<p>Wer all a-vroze so still's a rock.</p> +<p>No, no, you woont goo hwome to-night,</p> +<p>Good Robin White, o' Craglin mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Zee how the hufflèn win' do blow,</p> +<p>A-whirlèn down the giddy snow:</p> +<p>Zee how the sky's a-weärèn dim,</p> +<p>Behind the elem's neäked lim'.</p><a name="page425" id="page425"></a><span class="left">[page 425]</span> +<p>That there do leän above the leäne:</p> +<p>Zoo teäke your pleäce bezide the dogs,</p> +<p>An' sip a drop o' hwome-brew'd eäle,</p> +<p>An' zing your zong or tell your teäle,</p> +<p>While I do baït the vier wi' logs.</p> +<p>No, no, you woont goo hwome to-night,</p> +<p>Good Robin White, o' Craglin mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Your meäre's in steäble wi' her hocks</p> +<p>In straw above her vetterlocks,</p> +<p>A-reachèn up her meäney neck,</p> +<p>An' pullèn down good hay vrom reck,</p> +<p>A-meäkèn slight o' snow an' sleet;</p> +<p>She don't want you upon her back,</p> +<p>To vall upon the slippery stwones</p> +<p>On Hollyhül, an' break your bwones,</p> +<p>Or miss, in snow, her hidden track.</p> +<p>No, no, you woont goo hwome to-night,</p> +<p>Good Robin White, o' Craglin mill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Here, Jenny, come pull out your key</p> +<p>An' hansel, wi' zome tidy tea,</p> +<p>The zilver pot that we do owe</p> +<p>To your prize butter at the show,</p> +<p>An' put zome bread upon the bwoard.</p> +<p>Ah! he do smile; now that 'ull do,</p> +<p>He'll stay. Here, Polly, bring a light,</p> +<p>We'll have a happy hour to-night,</p> +<p>I'm thankvul we be in the lew.</p> +<p>No, no, he woont goo hwome to-night,</p> +<p>Not Robin White, o' Craglin mill.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <br /><br /> + +<a name="page426" id="page426"></a><span class="left">[page 426]</span> + +<h4>THE HUMSTRUM.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Why woonce, at Chris'mas-tide, avore</p> +<p>The wold year wer a-reckon'd out,</p> +<p>The humstrums here did come about,</p> +<p>A-soundèn up at ev'ry door.</p> +<p>But now a bow do never screäpe</p> +<p class="i2">A humstrum, any where all round,</p> +<p>An' zome can't tell a humstrum's sheäpe,</p> +<p class="i2">An' never heärd his jinglèn sound.</p> +<p>As <i>ing-an-ing</i> did ring the string,</p> +<p>As <i>ang-an-ang</i> the wires did clang.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The strings a-tighten'd lik' to crack</p> +<p>Athirt the canister's tin zide,</p> +<p>Did reach, a glitt'rèn, zide by zide,</p> +<p>Above the humstrum's hollow back.</p> +<p>An' there the bwoy, wi' bended stick,</p> +<p class="i2">A-strung wi' heäir, to meäke a bow,</p> +<p>Did dreve his elbow, light'nèn quick,</p> +<p class="i2">Athirt the strings from high to low.</p> +<p>As <i>ing-an-ing</i> did ring the string,</p> +<p>As <i>ang-an-ang</i> the wires did clang.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The mother there did stan' an' hush</p> +<p>Her child, to hear the jinglèn sound,</p> +<p>The merry maïd, a-scrubbèn round</p> +<p>Her white-steäv'd païl, did stop her brush.</p> +<p>The mis'ess there, vor wold time's seäke,</p> +<p class="i2">Had gifts to gi'e, and smiles to show,</p> +<p>An' meäster, too, did stan' an' sheäke</p> +<p class="i2">His two broad zides, a-chucklèn low,</p> +<p>While <i>ing-an-ing</i> did ring the string,</p> +<p>While <i>ang-an-ang</i> the wires did clang.</p></div> +<a name="page427" id="page427"></a><span class="left">[page 427]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The plaÿers' pockets wer a-strout,</p> +<p>Wi' wold brown pence, a-rottlèn in,</p> +<p>Their zwangèn bags did soon begin,</p> +<p>Wi' brocks an' scraps, to plim well out.</p> +<p>The childern all did run an' poke</p> +<p class="i2">Their heads vrom hatch or door, an' shout</p> +<p>A-runnèn back to wolder vo'k.</p> +<p class="i2">Why, here! the humstrums be about!</p> +<p>As <i>ing-an-ing</i> did ring the string,</p> +<p>As <i>ang-an-ang</i> the wires did clang.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p427" id="p427"></a> + +<h4>SHAFTESBURY FEÄIR.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When hillborne Paladore did show</p> +<p>So bright to me down miles below.</p> +<p>As woonce the zun, a-rollèn west,</p> +<p>Did brighten up his hill's high breast.</p> +<p>Wi' walls a-lookèn dazzlèn white,</p> +<p>Or yollow, on the grey-topp'd height</p> +<p>Of Paladore, as peäle day wore</p> +<p class="i8">Awaÿ so feäir.</p> +<p>Oh! how I wish'd that I wer there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The pleäce wer too vur off to spy</p> +<p>The livèn vo'k a-passèn by;</p> +<p>The vo'k too vur vor aïr to bring</p> +<p>The words that they did speak or zing.</p> +<p>All dum' to me wer each abode,</p> +<p>An' empty wer the down-hill road</p> +<p>Vrom Paladore, as peäle day wore</p> +<p class="i8">Awaÿ so feäir;</p> +<p>But how I wish'd that I wer there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when I clomb the lofty ground</p> +<p>Where livèn veet an' tongues did sound,</p><a name="page428" id="page428"></a><span class="left">[page 428]</span> +<p>At feäir, bezide your bloomèn feäce,</p> +<p>The pertiest in all the pleäce,</p> +<p>As you did look, wi' eyes as blue</p> +<p>As yonder southern hills in view,</p> +<p>Vrom Paladore—O Polly dear,</p> +<p class="i8">Wi' you up there,</p> +<p>How merry then wer I at feäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Since vu'st I trod thik steep hill-zide</p> +<p>My grievèn soul 'v a-been a-tried</p> +<p>Wi' païn, an' loss o' worldly geär,</p> +<p>An' souls a-gone I wanted near;</p> +<p>But you be here to goo up still,</p> +<p>An' look to Blackmwore vrom the hill</p> +<p>O' Paladore. Zoo, Polly dear,</p> +<p class="i8">We'll goo up there,</p> +<p>An' spend an hour or two at feäir.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The wold brown meäre's a-brought vrom grass,</p> +<p>An' rubb'd an' cwomb'd so bright as glass;</p> +<p>An' now we'll hitch her in, an' start</p> +<p>To feäir upon the new green cart,</p> +<p>An' teäke our little Poll between</p> +<p>Our zides, as proud's a little queen,</p> +<p>To Paladore. Aye, Poll a dear,</p> +<p class="i8">Vor now 'tis feäir,</p> +<p>An' she's a longèn to goo there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>While Paladore, on watch, do straïn</p> +<p>Her eyes to Blackmwore's blue-hill'd pläin,</p> +<p>While Duncliffe is the traveller's mark,</p> +<p>Or cloty Stour's a-rollèn dark;</p> +<p>Or while our bells do call, vor greäce,</p> +<p>The vo'k avore their Seävior's feäce,</p> +<p>Mid Paladore, an' Poll a dear,</p> +<p class="i8">Vor ever know</p> +<p>O' peäce an' plenty down below.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page429" id="page429"></a><span class="left">[page 429]</span> + +<h4>THE BEÄTEN PATH.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The beäten path where vo'k do meet</p> +<p class="i2">A-comèn on vrom vur an' near;</p> +<p>How many errands had the veet</p> +<p class="i2">That wore en out along so clear!</p> +<p>Where eegrass bleädes be green in meäd,</p> +<p class="i2">Where bennets up the leäze be brown,</p> +<p>An' where the timber bridge do leäd</p> +<p class="i2">Athirt the cloty brook to town,</p> +<p>Along the path by mile an' mile,</p> +<p>Athirt the yield, an' brook, an' stile,</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There runnèn childern's hearty laugh</p> +<p class="i2">Do come an' vlee along—win' swift:</p> +<p>The wold man's glossy-knobbèd staff</p> +<p class="i2">Do help his veet so hard to lift;</p> +<p>The maïd do bear her basket by,</p> +<p class="i2">A-hangèn at her breäthèn zide;</p> +<p>An' ceäreless young men, straïght an' spry,</p> +<p class="i2">Do whissle hwome at eventide,</p> +<p>Along the path, a-reachèn by</p> +<p>Below tall trees an' oben sky.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There woone do goo to jaÿ a-head;</p> +<p class="i2">Another's jaÿ's behind his back.</p> +<p>There woone his vu'st long mile do tread,</p> +<p class="i2">An' woone the last ov all his track.</p> +<p>An' woone mid end a hopevul road,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' hopeless grief a-teäkèn on,</p> +<p>As he that leätely vrom abroad</p> +<p class="i2">Come hwome to seek his love a-gone,</p> +<p>Noo mwore to tread, wi' comely eäse,</p> +<p>The beäten path athirt the leäze.</p></div> +<a name="page430" id="page430"></a><span class="left">[page 430]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In tweilsome hardships, year by year,</p> +<p class="i2">He drough the worold wander'd wide,</p> +<p>Still bent, in mind, both vur an' near</p> +<p class="i2">To come an' meäke his love his bride.</p> +<p>An' passèn here drough evenèn dew</p> +<p class="i2">He heästen'd, happy, to her door,</p> +<p>But vound the wold vo'k only two,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' noo mwore vootsteps on the vloor,</p> +<p>To walk ageän below the skies,</p> +<p>Where beäten paths do vall an' rise;</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Vor she wer gone vrom e'thly eyes</p> +<p class="i2">To be a-kept in darksome sleep,</p> +<p>Until the good ageän do rise</p> +<p class="i2">A-jaÿ to souls they left to weep.</p> +<p>The rwose wer doust that bound her brow;</p> +<p class="i2">The moth did eat her Zunday ceäpe;</p> +<p>Her frock wer out o' fashion now;</p> +<p class="i2">Her shoes wer dried up out o' sheäpe—</p> +<p>The shoes that woonce did glitter black</p> +<p>Along the leäzes beäten track.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p430" id="p430"></a> + +<h4>RUTH A-RIDÈN.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ov all the roads that ever bridge</p> +<p class="i2">Did bear athirt a river's feäce,</p> +<p>Or ho'ses up an' down the ridge</p> +<p class="i2">Did wear to doust at ev'ry peäce,</p> +<p>I'll teäke the Stalton leäne to tread,</p> +<p>By banks wi' primrwose-beds bespread,</p> +<p>An' steätely elems over head,</p> +<p class="i4">Where Ruth do come a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I would rise when vields be grey</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' mornèn dew, avore 'tis dry,</p> +<p>An' beät the doust droughout the day</p> +<p class="i2">To bluest hills ov all the sky;</p><a name="page431" id="page431"></a><span class="left">[page 431]</span> +<p>If there, avore the dusk o' night,</p> +<p>The evenèn zun, a-sheenèn bright,</p> +<p>Would pay my leäbors wi' the zight</p> +<p class="i4">O' Ruth—o' Ruth a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Her healthy feäce is rwosy feäir,</p> +<p class="i2">She's comely in her gaït an' lim',</p> +<p>An' sweet's the smile her feäce do wear,</p> +<p class="i2">Below her cap's well-rounded brim;</p> +<p>An' while her skirt's a-spreädèn wide,</p> +<p>In vwolds upon the ho'se's zide,</p> +<p>He'll toss his head, an' snort wi' pride,</p> +<p class="i4">To trot wi' Ruth a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' as her ho'se's rottlèn peäce</p> +<p class="i2">Do slacken till his veet do beät</p> +<p>A slower trot, an' till her feäce</p> +<p class="i2">Do bloom avore the tollman's geäte;</p> +<p>Oh! he'd be glad to oben wide</p> +<p>His high-back'd geäte, an' stand azide,</p> +<p>A-givèn up his toll wi' pride,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor zight o' Ruth a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! that Ruth could be my bride,</p> +<p class="i2">An' I had ho'ses at my will,</p> +<p>That I mid teäke her by my zide,</p> +<p class="i2">A-ridèn over dell an' hill;</p> +<p>I'd zet wi' pride her litty tooe</p> +<p>'Ithin a stirrup, sheenèn new,</p> +<p>An' leäve all other jaÿs to goo</p> +<p class="i4">Along wi' Ruth a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>If maïdens that be weäk an' peäle</p> +<p class="i2">A-mwopèn in the house's sheäde,</p> +<p>Would wish to be so blithe and heäle</p> +<p class="i2">As you did zee young Ruth a-meäde;</p><a name="page432" id="page432"></a><span class="left">[page 432]</span> +<p>Then, though the zummer zun mid glow,</p> +<p>Or though the Winter win' mid blow,</p> +<p>They'd leäp upon the saddle's bow,</p> +<p class="i2">An' goo, lik' Ruth, a-ridèn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>While evenèn light do sof'ly gild</p> +<p class="i2">The moss upon the elem's bark,</p> +<p>Avore the zingèn bird's a-still'd,</p> +<p class="i2">Or woods be dim, or day is dark,</p> +<p>Wi' quiv'rèn grass avore his breast,</p> +<p>In cowslip beds, do lie at rest,</p> +<p>The ho'se that now do goo the best</p> +<p class="i4">Wi' rwosy Ruth a-ridèn.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p432-1" id="p432-1"></a> + +<h4>BEAUTY UNDECKED.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The grass mid sheen when wat'ry beäds</p> +<p>O' dew do glitter on the meäds,</p> +<p>An' thorns be bright when quiv'rèn studs</p> +<p>O' raïn do hang upon their buds—</p> +<p>As jewels be a-meäde by art</p> +<p>To zet the plaïnest vo'k off smart.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But sheäkèn ivy on its tree,</p> +<p>An' low-bough'd laurel at our knee,</p> +<p>Be bright all daÿ, without the gleäre,</p> +<p>O' drops that duller leäves mid weär—</p> +<p>As Jeäne is feäir to look upon</p> +<p>In plaïnest gear that she can don.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p432-2" id="p432-2"></a> + +<h4>MY LOVE IS GOOD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My love is good, my love is feäir,</p> +<p class="i2">She's comely to behold, O,</p> +<p>In ev'rything that she do wear,</p> +<p class="i2">Altho' 'tis new or wold, O.</p><a name="page433" id="page433"></a><span class="left">[page 433]</span> +<p>My heart do leäp to see her walk,</p> +<p class="i2">So straïght do step her veet, O,</p> +<p>My tongue is dum' to hear her talk,</p> +<p class="i2">Her vaïce do sound so sweet, O.</p> +<p>The flow'ry groun' wi' floor o' green</p> +<p>Do bear but vew, so good an' true.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When she do zit, then she do seem</p> +<p class="i2">The feäirest to my zight, O,</p> +<p>Till she do stan' an' I do deem,</p> +<p class="i2">She's feäirest at her height, O.</p> +<p>An' she do seem 'ithin a room</p> +<p class="i2">The feäirest on a floor, O,</p> +<p>Till I ageän do zee her bloom</p> +<p class="i2">Still feäirer out o' door, O.</p> +<p>Where flow'ry groun' wi' floor o' green</p> +<p>Do bear but vew, so good an' true.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' when the deäisies be a-press'd</p> +<p class="i2">Below her vootsteps waïght, O,</p> +<p>Do seem as if she look'd the best</p> +<p class="i2">Ov all in walkèn gaït, O.</p> +<p>Till I do zee her zit upright</p> +<p class="i2">Behind the ho'ses neck, O,</p> +<p>A-holdèn wi' the raïn so tight</p> +<p class="i2">His tossèn head in check, O,</p> +<p>Where flow'ry groun' wi' floor o' green</p> +<p>Do bear but vew, so good an' true.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I wish I had my own free land</p> +<p class="i2">To keep a ho'se to ride, O,</p> +<p>I wish I had a ho'se in hand</p> +<p class="i2">To ride en at her zide, O.</p> +<p>Vor if I wer as high in rank</p> +<p class="i2">As any duke or lord, O,</p><a name="page434" id="page434"></a><span class="left">[page 434]</span> +<p>Or had the goold the richest bank</p> +<p class="i2">Can shovel from his horde, O,</p> +<p>I'd love her still, if even then</p> +<p>She wer a leäser in a glen.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="p434" id="p434"></a> + +<h4>HEEDLESS O' MY LOVE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! I vu'st know'd o' my true love,</p> +<p class="i2">As the bright moon up above,</p> +<p>Though her brightness wer my pleasure,</p> +<p class="i2">She wer heedless o' my love.</p> +<p>Tho' 'twer all gaÿ to my eyes,</p> +<p>Where her feäir feäce did arise,</p> +<p>She noo mwore thought upon my thoughts,</p> +<p class="i2">Than the high moon in the skies.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! I vu'st heärd her a-zingèn,</p> +<p class="i2">As a sweet bird on a tree,</p> +<p>Though her zingèn wer my pleasure,</p> +<p class="i2">'Twer noo zong she zung to me.</p> +<p>Though her sweet vaïce that wer nigh,</p> +<p>Meäde my wild heart to beat high,</p> +<p>She noo mwore thought upon my thoughts,</p> +<p class="i2">Than the birds would passers by.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! I vu'st know'd her a-weepèn,</p> +<p class="i2">As a raïn-dimm'd mornèn sky,</p> +<p>Though her teär-draps dimm'd her blushes,</p> +<p class="i2">They wer noo draps I could dry.</p> +<p>Ev'ry bright tear that did roll,</p> +<p>Wer a keen païn to my soul,</p> +<p>But noo heärt's pang she did then veel,</p> +<p class="i2">Wer vor my words to console.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But the wold times be a-vanish'd,</p> +<p class="i2">An' my true love is my bride.</p><a name="page435" id="page435"></a><span class="left">[page 435]</span> +<p>An' her kind heart have a-meäde her.</p> +<p class="i2">As an angel at my zide;</p> +<p>I've her best smiles that mid plaÿ,</p> +<p>I've her me'th when she is gaÿ,</p> +<p>When her tear-draps be a-rollèn,</p> +<p>I can now wipe em awaÿ.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p435" id="p435"></a> + +<h4>THE DO'SET MILITIA.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Hurrah! my lads, vor Do'set men!</p> +<p>A-muster'd here in red ageän;</p> +<p>All welcome to your ranks, a-spread</p> +<p>Up zide to zide, to stand, or wheel,</p> +<p>An' welcome to your files, to head</p> +<p>The steady march wi' tooe to heel;</p> +<p>Welcome to marches slow or quick!</p> +<p>Welcome to gath'rèns thin or thick;</p> +<p>God speed the Colonel on the hill,<a href="#p436"><sup style="font-size: 0.8em;">*</sup></a></p> +<p>An' Mrs Bingham,<a href="#p436"><sup style="font-size: 0.7em;">†</sup></a> off o' drill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When you've a-handled well your lock,</p> +<p>An' flung about your rifle stock</p> +<p>Vrom han' to shoulder, up an' down;</p> +<p>When you've a-lwoaded an' a-vired,</p> +<p>Till you do come back into town,</p> +<p>Wi' all your loppèn limbs a-tired,</p> +<p>An you be dry an' burnèn hot,</p> +<p>Why here's your tea an' coffee pot</p> +<p>At Mister Greenèn's penny till,</p> +<p>Wi' Mrs Bingham off o' drill.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Last year John Hinley's mother cried,</p> +<p>"Why my bwoy John is quite my pride!</p><a name="page436" id="page436"></a><span class="left">[page 436]</span> +<p>Vor he've a-been so good to-year,</p> +<p>An' han't a-mell'd wi' any squabbles,</p> +<p>An' han't a-drown'd his wits in beer,</p> +<p>An' han't a-been in any hobbles.</p> +<p>I never thought he'd turn out bad,</p> +<p>He always wer so good a lad;</p> +<p>But now I'm sure he's better still,</p> +<p>Drough Mrs Bingham, off o' drill."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Jeäne Hart, that's Joey Duntley's chaïce,</p> +<p>Do praise en up wi' her sweet vaïce,</p> +<p>Vor he's so strait's a hollyhock</p> +<p>(Vew hollyhocks be up so tall),</p> +<p>An' he do come so true's the clock</p> +<p>To Mrs Bingham's coffee-stall;</p> +<p>An' Jeäne do write, an' brag o' Joe</p> +<p>To teäke the young recruits in tow,</p> +<p>An' try, vor all their good, to bring em,</p> +<p>A-come from drill, to Mrs Bingham.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>God speed the Colonel, toppèn high,</p> +<p>An' officers wi' sworded thigh,</p> +<p>An' all the sargeants that do bawl</p> +<p>All day enough to split their droats,</p> +<p>An' all the corporals, and all</p> +<p>The band a-plaÿèn up their notes,</p> +<p>An' all the men vrom vur an' near</p> +<p>We'll gi'e em all a hearty cheer.</p> +<p>An' then another cheerèn still</p> +<p>Vor Mrs Bingham, off o' drill.</p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /><a name="p436" id="p436"></a> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p435"><sup>*</sup></a> Poundbury, Dorchester, the drill ground.</span></p> </div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p435"><sup>†</sup></a> The colonel's wife, who opened a room with a coffee-stall,</span></p> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"> and entertainments for the men off drill.</span></p> +</div> +</div> + +<br /><br /> + +<a name="page437" id="page437"></a><span class="left">[page 437]</span> + +<h4>A DO'SET SALE.</h4> + +<h5>WITH A MISTAKE.</h5> + +<h4>(<i>Thomas and Mr Auctioneer</i>.)</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><i>T.</i> Well here, then, Mister auctioneer,</p> +<p class="i4">Be theäse the virs, I bought, out here?</p></div> + <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>A.</i> The firs, the fir-poles, you bought? Who?</p> +<p class="i4">'Twas <i>furze</i>, not <i>firs</i>, I sold to you.</p></div> + <div class="stanza"> +<p><i>T.</i> I bid vor <i>virs</i>, and not vor <i>vuzzen</i>,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor vir-poles, as I thought, two dozen.</p></div><div class="stanza"> +<p><i>A.</i> Two dozen faggots, and I took</p> +<p class="i4">Your bidding for them. Here's the book.</p></div><div class="stanza"> +<p><i>T.</i> I wont have what I diddèn buy.</p> +<p class="i4">I don't want <i>vuzzen</i>, now. Not I.</p> +<p class="i4">Why <i>firs</i> an' <i>furze</i> do sound the seäme.</p> +<p class="i4">Why don't ye gi'e a thing his neäme?</p> +<p class="i4">Aye, <i>firs</i> and <i>furze</i>! Why, who can tell</p> +<p class="i4">Which 'tis that you do meän to zell?</p> +<p class="i4">No, no, be kind enough to call</p> +<p class="i4">Em <i>virs</i>, and <i>vuzzen</i>, then, that's all.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p437" id="p437"></a> + +<h4>DON'T CEÄRE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At the feäst, I do mind very well, all the vo'ks</p> +<p class="i2">Wer a-took in a happerèn storm,</p> +<p>But we chaps took the maïdens, an' kept em wi' clokes</p> +<p class="i2">Under shelter, all dry an' all warm;</p> +<p>An' to my lot vell Jeäne, that's my bride,</p> +<p>That did titter, a-hung at my zide;</p> +<p>Zaid her aunt, "Why the vo'k 'ull talk finely o' you,"</p> +<p>An', cried she, "I don't ceäre if they do."</p></div> +<a name="page438" id="page438"></a><span class="left">[page 438]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When the time o' the feäst wer ageän a-come round,</p> +<p class="i2">An' the vo'k wer a-gather'd woonce mwore,</p> +<p>Why she guess'd if she went there, she'd soon be a-vound</p> +<p class="i2">An' a-took seäfely hwome to her door.</p> +<p>Zaid her mother, "'Tis sure to be wet."</p> +<p>Zaid her cousin, "'T'ull raïn by zunzet."</p> +<p>Zaid her aunt, "Why the clouds there do look black an' blue,"</p> +<p>An' zaid she, "I don't ceäre if they do."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' at last, when she own'd I mid meäke her my bride,</p> +<p class="i2">Vor to help me, an' sheäre all my lot,</p> +<p>An' wi' faïthvulness keep all her life at my zide,</p> +<p class="i2">Though my waÿ mid be happy or not.</p> +<p>Zaid her naïghbours, "Why wedlock's a clog,</p> +<p>An' a wife's a-tied up lik' a dog."</p> +<p>Zaid her aunt, "You'll vind trials enough vor to rue,"</p> +<p>An', zaid she, "I don't ceäre if I do."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<hr class="short" /></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now she's married, an' still in the midst ov her tweils</p> +<p class="i2">She's as happy's the daylight is long,</p> +<p>She do goo out abroad wi' her feäce vull o' smiles,</p> +<p class="i2">An' do work in the house wi' a zong.</p> +<p>An', zays woone, "She don't grieve, you can tell."</p> +<p>Zays another, "Why, don't she look well!"</p> +<p>Zays her aunt, "Why the young vo'k do envy you two,"</p> +<p>An', zays she, "I don't ceäre if they do."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now vor me I can zing in my business abrode,</p> +<p class="i2">Though the storm do beät down on my poll,</p> +<p>There's a wife-brighten'd vier at the end o' my road,</p> +<p class="i2">An' her love vor the jaÿ o' my soul.</p> +<p>Out o' door I wi' rogues mid be tried:</p> +<p>Out o' door be brow-beäten wi' pride;</p> +<p>Men mid scowl out o' door, if my wife is but true—</p> +<p>Let em scowl, "I don't ceäre if they do."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page439" id="page439"></a><span class="left">[page 439]</span> + +<h4>CHANGES.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>By time's a-brought the mornèn light,</p> +<p class="i2">By time the light do weäne;</p> +<p>By time's a-brought the young man's might,</p> +<p class="i2">By time his might do weäne;</p> +<p>The Winter snow do whitèn grass,</p> +<p>The zummer flow'rs do brightèn grass,</p> +<p>Vor zome things we do lose wi' païn,</p> +<p>We've mwore that mid be jaÿ to gaïn,</p> +<p>An' my dear life do seem the seäme</p> +<p class="i6">While at my zide</p> +<p class="i6">There still do bide</p> +<p>Your welcome feäce an' hwomely neäme.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Wï' ev'ry day that woonce come on</p> +<p class="i2">I had to choose a jaÿ,</p> +<p>Wi' many that be since a-gone</p> +<p class="i2">I had to lose a jaÿ.</p> +<p>Drough longsome years a-wanderèn,</p> +<p>Drough lwonesome rest a-ponderèn,</p> +<p>Woone peaceful daytime wer a-bro't</p> +<p>To heal the heart another smote;</p> +<p>But my dear life do seem the seäme</p> +<p class="i6">While I can hear,</p> +<p class="i6">A-soundèn near,</p> +<p>Your answ'rèn vaïce an' long-call'd neäme.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' oh! that hope, when life do dawn,</p> +<p class="i2">Should rise to light our waÿ,</p> +<p>An' then, wi' weänèn het withdrawn,</p> +<p class="i2">Should soon benight our waÿ.</p> +<p>Whatever mid beval me still,</p> +<p>Wherever chance mid call me still,</p><a name="page440" id="page440"></a><span class="left">[page 440]</span> +<p>Though leäte my evenèn tweil mid cease,</p> +<p>An' though my night mid lose its peace,</p> +<p>My life will seem to me the seäme</p> +<p class="i6">While you do sheäre</p> +<p class="i6">My daily ceäre,</p> +<p>An' answer to your long-call'd neäme.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p440" id="p440"></a> + +<h4>KINDNESS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Good Meäster Collins heärd woone day</p> +<p>A man a-talkèn, that did zay</p> +<p>It woulden answer to be kind,</p> +<p>He thought, to vo'k o' grov'lèn mind,</p> +<p>Vor they would only teäke it wrong,</p> +<p>That you be weak an' they be strong.</p> +<p>"No," cried the goodman, "never mind,</p> +<p>Let vo'k be thankless,—you be kind;</p> +<p>Don't do your good for e'thly ends</p> +<p>At man's own call vor man's amends.</p> +<p>Though souls befriended should remaïn</p> +<p>As thankless as the sea vor raïn,</p> +<p>On them the good's a-lost 'tis true,</p> +<p>But never can be lost to you.</p> +<p>Look on the cool-feäced moon at night</p> +<p>Wi' light-vull ring, at utmost height,</p> +<p>A-castèn down, in gleamèn strokes,</p> +<p>His beams upon the dim-bough'd woaks,</p> +<p>To show the cliff a-risèn steep,</p> +<p>To show the stream a-vallèn deep,</p> +<p>To show where windèn roads do leäd,</p> +<p>An' prickly thorns do ward the meäd.</p> +<p>While sheädes o' boughs do flutter dark</p> +<p>Upon the woak-trees' moon-bright bark.</p> +<p>There in the lewth, below the hill,</p> +<p>The nightèngeäle, wi' ringèn bill,</p><a name="page441" id="page441"></a><span class="left">[page 441]</span> +<p>Do zing among the soft-aïr'd groves,</p> +<p>While up below the house's oves</p> +<p>The maïd, a-lookèn vrom her room</p> +<p>Drough window, in her youthvul bloom,</p> +<p>Do listen, wi' white ears among</p> +<p>Her glossy heäirlocks, to the zong.</p> +<p>If, then, the while the moon do lïght</p> +<p>The lwonesome zinger o' the night,</p> +<p>His cwold-beam'd light do seem to show</p> +<p>The prowlèn owls the mouse below.</p> +<p>What then? Because an evil will,</p> +<p>Ov his sweet good, mid meäke zome ill,</p> +<p>Shall all his feäce be kept behind</p> +<p>The dark-brow'd hills to leäve us blind?"</p> + </div> </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p441" id="p441"></a> + +<h4>WITHSTANDERS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When weakness now do strive wi' might</p> +<p class="i2">In struggles ov an e'thly trial,</p> +<p>Might mid overcome the right,</p> +<p class="i2">An' truth be turn'd by might's denial;</p> +<p>Withstanders we ha' mwost to feär,</p> +<p>If selfishness do wring us here,</p> +<p>Be souls a-holdèn in their hand,</p> +<p>The might an' riches o' the land.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But when the wicked, now so strong,</p> +<p class="i2">Shall stan' vor judgment, peäle as ashes,</p> +<p>By the souls that rued their wrong,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' tears a-hangèn on their lashes—</p> +<p>Then wïthstanders they shall deäre</p> +<p>The leäst ov all to meet wi' there,</p> +<p>Mid be the helpless souls that now</p> +<p>Below their wrongvul might mid bow.</p></div> +<a name="page442" id="page442"></a><span class="left">[page 442]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Sweet childern o' the dead, bereft</p> +<p class="i2">Ov all their goods by guile an' forgèn;</p> +<p>Souls o' driven sleäves that left</p> +<p class="i2">Their weäry limbs a-mark'd by scourgèn;</p> +<p>They that God ha' call'd to die</p> +<p>Vor truth ageän the worold's lie,</p> +<p>An' they that groan'd an' cried in vaïn,</p> +<p>A-bound by foes' unrighteous chaïn.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The maïd that selfish craft led on</p> +<p class="i2">To sin, an' left wi' hope a-blighted;</p> +<p>Starvèn workmen, thin an' wan,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' hopeless leäbour ill requited;</p> +<p>Souls a-wrong'd, an' call'd to vill</p> +<p>Wi' dread, the men that us'd em ill.</p> +<p>When might shall yield to right as pliant</p> +<p>As a dwarf avore a giant.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When there, at last, the good shall glow</p> +<p class="i2">In starbright bodies lik' their Seäviour,</p> +<p>Vor all their flesh noo mwore mid show,</p> +<p class="i2">The marks o' man's unkind beheäviour:</p> +<p>Wi' speechless tongue, an' burnèn cheak,</p> +<p>The strong shall bow avore the weäk,</p> +<p>An' vind that helplessness, wi' right,</p> +<p>Is strong beyond all e'thly might.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p442" id="p442"></a> + +<h4>DANIEL DWITHEN, THE WISE CHAP.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Dan Dwithen wer the chap to show</p> +<p>His naïghbours mwore than they did know,</p> +<p>Vor he could zee, wi' half a thought,</p> +<p>What zome could hardly be a-taught;</p> +<p class="i2">An' he had never any doubt</p> +<p>Whatever 'twer, but he did know't,</p> +<p>An' had a-reach'd the bottom o't,</p> +<p class="i2">Or soon could meäke it out.</p> + </div> +<a name="page443" id="page443"></a><span class="left">[page 443]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Wi' narrow feäce, an' nose so thin</p> +<p>That light a'most shone drough the skin,</p> +<p>As he did talk, wi' his red peäir</p> +<p>O' lips, an' his vull eyes did steäre,</p> +<p class="i2">What nippy looks friend Daniel wore,</p> +<p>An' how he smiled as he did bring</p> +<p>Such reasons vor to clear a thing,</p> +<p class="i2">As dather'd vo'k the mwore!</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When woonce there come along the road</p> +<p>At night, zome show-vo'k, wi' a lwoad</p> +<p>Ov half the wild outlandïsh things</p> +<p>That crawl'd, or went wi' veet, or wings;</p> +<p class="i2">Their elephant, to stratch his knees,</p> +<p>Walk'd up the road-zide turf, an' left</p> +<p>His tracks a-zunk wi' all his heft</p> +<p class="i2">As big's a vinny cheese.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' zoo next mornèn zome vo'k vound</p> +<p>The girt round tracks upon the ground,</p> +<p>An' view'd em all wi' stedvast eyes,</p> +<p>An' wi' their vingers spann'd their size,</p> +<p class="i2">An' took their depth below the brink:</p> +<p>An' whether they mid be the tracks</p> +<p>O' things wi' witches on their backs,</p> +<p class="i2">Or what, they coulden think.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>At last friend Dan come up, an' brought</p> +<p>His wit to help their dizzy thought,</p> +<p>An' lookèn on an' off the ea'th,</p> +<p>He cried, a-drawèn a vull breath,</p> +<p class="i2">Why, I do know; what, can't ye zee 't?</p> +<p>I'll bet a shillèn 'twer a deer</p> +<p>Broke out o' park, an' sprung on here,</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' quoits upon his veet.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> +<a name="page444" id="page444"></a><span class="left">[page 444]</span> + +<h4>TURNÈN THINGS OFF.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Upzides wi' Polly! no, he'd vind</p> +<p>That Poll would soon leäve him behind.</p> +<p>To turn things off! oh! she's too quick</p> +<p>To be a-caught by ev'ry trick.</p> +<p>Woone day our Jimmy stole down steäirs</p> +<p>On merry Polly unaweäres,</p> +<p>The while her nimble tongue did run</p> +<p>A-tellèn, all alive wi' fun,</p> +<p>To sister Anne, how Simon Heäre</p> +<p>Did hanker after her at feäir.</p> +<p>"He left," cried Polly, "cousin Jeäne,</p> +<p>An' kept wi' us all down the leäne,</p> +<p>An' which way ever we did leäd</p> +<p>He vollow'd over hill an' meäd;</p> +<p>An' wi' his head o' shaggy heäir,</p> +<p>An' sleek brown cwoat that he do weäre,</p> +<p>An' collar that did reach so high</p> +<p>'S his two red ears, or perty nigh,</p> +<p>He swung his täil, wi' steps o' pride,</p> +<p>Back right an' left, vrom zide to zide,</p> +<p>A-walkèn on, wi' heavy strides</p> +<p>A half behind, an' half upzides."</p> +<p>"Who's that?" cried Jimmy, all agog;</p> +<p>An' thought he had her now han'-pat,</p> +<p>"That's Simon Heäre," but no, "Who's that?"</p> +<p>Cried she at woonce, "Why Uncle's dog,</p> +<p>Wi' what have you a-been misled</p> +<p>I wonder. Tell me what I zaid."</p> +<p>Woone evenèn as she zot bezide</p> +<p>The wall the ranglèn vine do hide,</p> +<p>A-prattlèn on, as she did zend</p> +<p>Her needle, at her vinger's end.</p><a name="page445" id="page445"></a><span class="left">[page 445]</span> +<p>On drough the work she had in hand,</p> +<p>Zome bran-new thing that she'd a-plann'd,</p> +<p>Jim overheärd her talk ageän</p> +<p>O' Robin Hine, ov Ivy Leäne,</p> +<p>"Oh! no, what he!" she cried in scorn,</p> +<p>"I wouldèn gie a penny vor'n;</p> +<p>The best ov him's outzide in view;</p> +<p>His cwoat is gaÿ enough, 'tis true,</p> +<p>But then the wold vo'k didden bring</p> +<p>En up to know a single thing,</p> +<p>An' as vor zingèn,—what do seem</p> +<p>His zingèn's nothèn but a scream."</p> +<p>"So ho!" cried Jim, "Who's that, then, Meäry,</p> +<p>That you be now a-talkèn o'?"</p> +<p>He thought to catch her then, but, no,</p> +<p>Cried Polly, "Oh! why Jeäne's caneäry,</p> +<p>Wi' what have you a-been misled,</p> +<p>I wonder. Tell me what I zaid."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p445" id="p445"></a> + +<h4>THE GIANTS IN TREÄDES.</h4> + +<h4><span class="sc">Gramfer's Feäble.</span></h4> + +<h4>(<i>How the steam engine come about.</i>)</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><i>Vier, Aïr, E'th, Water</i>, wer a-meäde</p> +<p>Good workers, each o'm in his treäde,</p> +<p>An' <i>Aïr</i> an' <i>Water</i>, wer a-match</p> +<p class="i2">Vor woone another in a mill;</p> +<p>The giant <i>Water</i> at a hatch,</p> +<p class="i2">An' <i>Aïr</i> on the windmill hill.</p> +<p>Zoo then, when <i>Water</i> had a-meäde</p> +<p>Zome money, <i>Äir</i> begrudg'd his treäde,</p> +<p>An' come by, unaweäres woone night,</p> +<p class="i2">An' vound en at his own mill-head,</p> +<p>An' cast upon en, iron-tight,</p><a name="page446" id="page446"></a><span class="left">[page 446]</span> +<p class="i2">An icy cwoat so stiff as lead.</p> +<p>An' there he wer so good as dead</p> +<p>Vor grindèn any corn vor bread.</p> +<p>Then <i>Water</i> cried to <i>Vier</i>, "Alack!</p> +<p class="i2">Look, here be I, so stiff's a log,</p> +<p>Thik fellor <i>Aïr</i> do keep me back</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom grindèn. I can't wag a cog.</p> +<p>If I, dear <i>Vier</i>, did ever souse</p> +<p>Your nimble body on a house,</p> +<p>When you wer on your merry pranks</p> +<p>Wi' thatch or refters, beams or planks,</p> +<p>Vorgi'e me, do, in pity's neäme,</p> +<p>Vor 'twerden I that wer to bleäme,</p> +<p>I never wagg'd, though I be'nt cringèn,</p> +<p>Till men did dreve me wi' their engine.</p> +<p>Do zet me free vrom theäse cwold jacket,</p> +<p>Vor I myzelf shall never crack it."</p> +<p>"Well come," cried <i>Vier</i>, "My vo'k ha' meäde</p> +<p>An engine that 'ull work your treäde.</p> +<p>If <i>E'th</i> is only in the mood,</p> +<p>While I do work, to gi'e me food,</p> +<p>I'll help ye, an' I'll meäke your skill</p> +<p>A match vor Mister <i>Aïr's</i> wold mill."</p> +<p>"What food," cried <i>E'th</i>, "'ull suit your bwoard?"</p> +<p>"Oh! trust me, I ben't over nice,"</p> +<p>Cried <i>Vier</i>, "an' I can eat a slice</p> +<p>Ov any thing you can avword."</p> +<p>"I've lots," cried <i>E'th</i>, "ov coal an' wood."</p> +<p>"Ah! that's the stuff," cried <i>Vier</i>, "that's good."</p> +<p>Zoo <i>Vier</i> at woonce to <i>Water</i> cried,</p> +<p>"Here, <i>Water</i>, here, you get inside</p> +<p>O' theäse girt bwoiler. Then I'll show</p> +<p>How I can help ye down below,</p> +<p>An' when my work shall woonce begin</p> +<p>You'll be a thousand times so strong,</p> +<p>An' be a thousand times so long</p><a name="page447" id="page447"></a><span class="left">[page 447]</span> +<p>An' big as when you vu'st got in.</p> +<p>An' I wull meäke, as sure as death,</p> +<p>Thik fellor <i>Aïr</i> to vind me breath,</p> +<p>An' you shall grind, an' pull, an' dreve,</p> +<p>An' zaw, an' drash, an' pump, an' heave,</p> +<p>An' get vrom <i>Aïr</i>, in time, I'll lay</p> +<p>A pound, the drevèn ships at sea."</p> +<p>An' zoo 'tis good to zee that might</p> +<p>Wull help a man a-wrong'd, to right.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p447" id="p447"></a> + +<h4>THE LITTLE WOROLD.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>My hwome wer on the timber'd ground</p> +<p>O' Duncombe, wi' the hills a-bound:</p> +<p>Where vew from other peärts did come,</p> +<p>An' vew did travel vur from hwome,</p> +<p>An' small the worold I did know;</p> +<p>But then, what had it to bestow</p> +<p>But Fanny Deäne so good an' feäir?</p> +<p>'Twer wide enough if she wer there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In our deep hollow where the zun</p> +<p>Did eärly leäve the smoky tun,</p> +<p>An' all the meäds a-growèn dim,</p> +<p>Below the hill wi' zunny rim;</p> +<p>Oh! small the land the hills did bound,</p> +<p>But there did walk upon the ground</p> +<p>Young Fanny Deäne so good an' feäir:</p> +<p>'Twer wide enough if she wer there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>O' leäte upon the misty plaïn</p> +<p>I staÿ'd vor shelter vrom the raïn,</p> +<p>Where sharp-leav'd ashès' heads did twist</p> +<p>In hufflèn wind, an' driftèn mist,</p><a name="page448" id="page448"></a><span class="left">[page 448]</span> +<p>An' small the worold I could zee;</p> +<p>But then it had below the tree</p> +<p>My Fanny Deäne so good an' feäir:</p> +<p>'Twer wide enough if she wer there.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>An' I've a house wi' thatchen ridge,</p> +<p>Below the elems by the bridge:</p> +<p>Wi' small-peän'd windows, that do look</p> +<p>Upon a knap, an' ramblèn brook;</p> +<p>An' small's my house, my ruf is low,</p> +<p>But then who mid it have to show</p> +<p>But Fanny Deäne so good an' feäir?</p> +<p>'Tis fine enough if peace is there.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p448" id="p448"></a> + +<h4>BAD NEWS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>I do mind when there broke bitter tidèns,</p> +<p class="i4">Woone day, on their ears,</p> +<p>An' their souls wer a-smote wi' a stroke</p> +<p>As the lightnèn do vall on the woak,</p> +<p>An' the things that wer bright all around em</p> +<p class="i4">Seem'd dim drough their tears.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then unheeded wer things in their vingers,</p> +<p class="i4">Their grief wer their all.</p> +<p>All unheeded wer zongs o' the birds,</p> +<p>All unheeded the child's perty words,</p> +<p>All unheeded the kitten a-rollèn</p> +<p class="i4">The white-threaded ball.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! vor their minds the daylight around em</p> +<p class="i4">Had nothèn to show.</p> +<p>Though it brighten'd their tears as they vell,</p> +<p>An' did sheen on their lips that did tell,</p> +<p>In their vaïces all thrillèn an' mwoansome,</p> +<p class="i4">O' nothèn but woe.</p></div> +<a name="page449" id="page449"></a><span class="left">[page 449]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But they vound that, by Heavenly mercy,</p> +<p class="i4">The news werden true;</p> +<p>An' they shook, wi' low laughter, as quick</p> +<p>As a drum when his blows do vall thick,</p> +<p>An' wer eärnest in words o' thanksgivèn,</p> +<p class="i4">Vor mercies anew.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p449" id="p449"></a> + +<h4>THE TURNSTILE.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! sad wer we as we did peäce</p> +<p>The wold church road, wi' downcast feäce,</p> +<p>The while the bells, that mwoan'd so deep</p> +<p>Above our child a-left asleep,</p> +<p>Wer now a-zingèn all alive</p> +<p>Wi' tother bells to meäke the vive.</p> +<p>But up at woone pleäce we come by,</p> +<p>'Twer hard to keep woone's two eyes dry:</p> +<p>On Steän-cliff road, 'ithin the drong,</p> +<p>Up where, as vo'k do pass along,</p> +<p>The turnèn stile, a-païnted white,</p> +<p>Do sheen by day an' show by night.</p> +<p>Vor always there, as we did goo</p> +<p>To church, thik stile did let us drough,</p> +<p>Wi' spreadèn eärms that wheel'd to guide</p> +<p>Us each in turn to tother zide.</p> +<p>An' vu'st ov all the traïn he took</p> +<p>My wife, wi' winsome gaït an' look;</p> +<p>An' then zent on my little maïd,</p> +<p>A-skippèn onward, overjaÿ'd</p> +<p>To reach ageän the pleäce o' pride,</p> +<p>Her comely mother's left han' zide.</p> +<p>An' then, a-wheelèn roun', he took</p> +<p>On me, 'ithin his third white nook.</p> +<p>An' in the fourth, a-sheäkèn wild,</p> +<p>He zent us on our giddy child.</p></div> +<a name="page450" id="page450"></a><span class="left">[page 450]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>But eesterday he guided slow</p> +<p>My downcast Jenny, vull o' woe,</p> +<p>An' then my little maïd in black,</p> +<p>A-walkèn softly on her track;</p> +<p>An' after he'd a-turn'd ageän,</p> +<p>To let me goo along the leäne,</p> +<p>He had noo little bwoy to vill</p> +<p>His last white eärms, an' they stood still.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p450" id="p450"></a> + +<h4>THE BETTER VOR ZEÈN O' YOU.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Twer good what Meäster Collins spoke</p> +<p>O' spite to two poor spitevul vo'k,</p> +<p>When woone twold tother o' the two</p> +<p>"I be never the better vor zeèn o' you."</p> +<p>If soul to soul, as Christians should,</p> +<p>Would always try to do zome good,</p> +<p>"How vew," he cried, "would zee our feäce</p> +<p>A-brighten'd up wi' smiles o' greäce,</p> +<p>An' tell us, or could tell us true,</p> +<p>I be never the better vor zeèn o' you."</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A man mus' be in evil ceäse</p> +<p>To live 'ithin a land o' greäce,</p> +<p>Wi' nothèn that a soul can read</p> +<p>O' goodness in his word or deed;</p> +<p>To still a breast a-heav'd wi' sighs,</p> +<p>Or dry the tears o' weepèn eyes;</p> +<p>To staÿ a vist that spite ha' wrung,</p> +<p>Or cool the het ov anger's tongue:</p> +<p>Or bless, or help, or gi'e, or lend;</p> +<p>Or to the friendless stand a friend,</p> +<p>An' zoo that all could tell en true,</p> +<p>"I be never the better vor zeèn o' you."</p></div> +<a name="page451" id="page451"></a><span class="left">[page 451]</span> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh! no, mid all o's try to spend</p> +<p>Our passèn time to zome good end,</p> +<p>An' zoo vrom day to day teäke heed,</p> +<p>By mind, an' han', by word or deed;</p> +<p>To lessen evil, and increase</p> +<p>The growth o' righteousness an' peäce,</p> +<p>A-speakèn words o' lovèn-kindness,</p> +<p>Openèn the eyes o' blindness;</p> +<p>Helpèn helpless striver's weakness,</p> +<p>Cheerèn hopeless grievers' meekness,</p> +<p>Meäkèn friends at every meetèn,</p> +<p>Veel the happier vor their greetèn;</p> +<p>Zoo that vew could tell us true,</p> +<p>"I be never the better vor zeèn o' you."</p> +<p>No, let us even try to win</p> +<p>Zome little good vrom sons o' sin,</p> +<p>An' let their evils warn us back</p> +<p>Vrom teäkèn on their hopeless track,</p> +<p>Where we mid zee so clear's the zun</p> +<p>That harm a-done is harm a-won,</p> +<p>An' we mid cry an' tell em true,</p> +<p>"I be even the better vor zeèn o' you."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p451" id="p451"></a> + +<h4>PITY.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Good Meäster Collins! aye, how mild he spoke</p> +<p>Woone day o' Mercy to zome cruel vo'k.</p> +<p>"No, no. Have Mercy on a helpless head,</p> +<p>An' don't be cruel to a zoul," he zaid.</p> +<p>"When Babylon's king woonce cast 'ithin</p> +<p class="i2">The viery furnace, in his spite,</p> +<p>The vetter'd souls whose only sin</p> +<p class="i2">Wer praÿer to the God o' might,</p> +<p>He vound a fourth, 'ithout a neäme,</p> +<p>A-walkèn wi' em in the fleäme.</p><a name="page452" id="page452"></a><span class="left">[page 452]</span> +<p>An' zoo, whenever we mid hurt,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom spite, or vrom disdaïn,</p> +<p>A brother's soul, or meäke en smert</p> +<p class="i2">Wi' keen an' needless païn,</p> +<p>Another that we midden know</p> +<p>Is always wi' en in his woe.</p> +<p>Vor you do know our Lord ha' cried,</p> +<p>"By faïth my bretheren do bide</p> +<p>In me the livèn vine,</p> +<p class="i2">As branches in a livèn tree;</p> +<p>Whatever you've a-done to mine</p> +<p class="i2">Is all a-done to me.</p> +<p>Oh! when the new-born child, the e'th's new guest,</p> +<p>Do lie an' heave his little breast,</p> +<p>In pillow'd sleep, wi' sweetest breath</p> +<p>O' sinless days drough rwosy lips a-drawn;</p> +<p>Then, if a han' can smite en in his dawn</p> +<p>O' life to darksome death,</p> +<p>Oh! where can Pity ever vwold</p> +<p class="i2">Her wings o' swiftness vrom their holy flight,</p> +<p>To leäve a heart o' flesh an' blood so cwold</p> +<p class="i2">At such a touchèn zight?</p> +<p>An' zoo mid meek-soul'd Pity still</p> +<p>Be zent to check our evil will,</p> +<p>An' keep the helpless soul from woe,</p> +<p class="i2">An' hold the hardened heart vrom sin.</p> +<p>Vor they that can but mercy show</p> +<p class="i2">Shall all their Father's mercy win."</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="page453" id="page453"></a><span class="left">[page 453]</span> + +<h4>JOHN BLOOM IN LON'ON.</h4> + +<h5>(<i>All true.</i>)</h5> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>John Bloom he wer a jolly soul,</p> +<p class="i2">A grinder o' the best o' meal,</p> +<p>Bezide a river that did roll,</p> +<p class="i2">Vrom week to week, to push his wheel.</p> +<p>His flour wer all a-meäde o' wheat;</p> +<p>An' fit for bread that vo'k mid eat;</p> +<p>Vor he would starve avore he'd cheat.</p> +<p>"'Tis pure," woone woman cried;</p> +<p>"Aye, sure," woone mwore replied;</p> +<p>"You'll vind it nice. Buy woonce, buy twice,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Athirt the chest he wer so wide</p> +<p class="i2">As two or dree ov me or you.</p> +<p>An' wider still vrom zide to zide,</p> +<p class="i2">An' I do think still thicker drough.</p> +<p>Vall down, he coulden, he did lie</p> +<p>When he wer up on-zide so high</p> +<p>As up on-end or perty nigh.</p> +<p>"Meäke room," woone naïghbour cried;</p> +<p>"'Tis Bloom," woone mwore replied;</p> +<p>"Good morn t'ye all, bwoth girt an' small,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Noo stings o' conscience ever broke</p> +<p class="i2">His rest, a-twitèn o'n wi' wrong,</p> +<p>Zoo he did sleep till mornèn broke,</p> +<p class="i2">An' birds did call en wi' their zong.</p> +<p>But he did love a harmless joke,</p> +<p>An' love his evenèn whiff o' smoke,</p> +<p>A-zittèn in his cheäir o' woak.</p><a name="page454" id="page454"></a><span class="left">[page 454]</span> +<p>"Your cup," his daughter cried;</p> +<p>"Vill'd up," his wife replied;</p> +<p>"Aye, aye; a drap avore my nap,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>When Lon'on vok did meäke a show</p> +<p class="i2">O' their girt glassen house woone year,</p> +<p>An' people went, bwoth high an' low,</p> +<p class="i2">To zee the zight, vrom vur an' near,</p> +<p>"O well," cried Bloom, "why I've a right</p> +<p>So well's the rest to zee the zight;</p> +<p>I'll goo, an' teäke the raïl outright."</p> +<p>"Your feäre," the booker cried;</p> +<p>"There, there," good Bloom replied;</p> +<p>"Why this June het do meäke woone zweat,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller,</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then up the guard did whissle sh'ill,</p> +<p class="i2">An' then the engine pank'd a-blast,</p> +<p>An' rottled on so loud's a mill,</p> +<p class="i2">Avore the traïn, vrom slow to vast.</p> +<p>An' oh! at last how they did spank</p> +<p>By cuttèn deep, an' high-cast bank</p> +<p>The while their iron ho'se did pank.</p> +<p>"Do whizzy," woone o'm cried;</p> +<p>"I'm dizzy," woone replied;</p> +<p>"Aye, here's the road to hawl a lwoad,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>In Lon'on John zent out to call</p> +<p class="i2">A tidy trap, that he mid ride</p> +<p>To zee the glassen house, an' all</p> +<p class="i2">The lot o' things a-stow'd inside.</p> +<p>"Here, Boots, come here," cried he, "I'll dab</p> +<p>A sixpence in your han' to nab</p> +<p>Down street a tidy little cab."</p><a name="page455" id="page455"></a><span class="left">[page 455]</span> +<p>"A feäre," the boots then cried;</p> +<p>"I'm there," the man replied.</p> +<p>"The glassen pleäce, your quickest peäce,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>The steps went down wi' rottlèn slap,</p> +<p class="i2">The zwingèn door went open wide:</p> +<p>Wide? no; vor when the worthy chap</p> +<p class="i2">Stepp'd up to teäke his pleäce inside,</p> +<p>Breast-foremost, he wer twice too wide</p> +<p>Vor thik there door. An' then he tried</p> +<p>To edge in woone an' tother zide.</p> +<p>"'Twont do," the drever cried;</p> +<p>"Can't goo," good Bloom replied;</p> +<p>"That you should bring theäse vooty thing!"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"Come," cried the drever. "Pay your feäre</p> +<p class="i2">You'll teäke up all my time, good man."</p> +<p>"Well," answer'd Bloom, "to meäke that square,</p> +<p class="i2">You teäke up me, then, if you can."</p> +<p>"I come at call," the man did nod.</p> +<p>"What then?" cried Bloom, "I han't a-rod,</p> +<p>An' can't in thik there hodmadod."</p> +<p>"Girt lump," the drever cried;</p> +<p>"Small stump," good Bloom replied;</p> +<p>"A little mite, to meäke so light,</p> +<p>O' jolly Bloom the miller."</p> + </div><div class="stanza"> +<p>"You'd best be off now perty quick,"</p> +<p class="i2">Cried Bloom. "an' vind a lighter lwoad,</p> +<p>Or else I'll vetch my voot, an' kick</p> +<p class="i2">The vooty thing athirt the road."</p> +<p>"Who is the man?" they cried, "meäke room,"</p> +<p>"A halfstarv'd Do'set man," cried Bloom;</p><a name="page456" id="page456"></a><span class="left">[page 456]</span> +<p>"You be?" another cried;</p> +<p>"Hee! Hee!" woone mwore replied.</p> +<p>"Aye, shrunk so thin, to bwone an' skin,"</p> +<p>Cried worthy Bloom the miller.</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p456" id="p456"></a> + +<h4>A LOT O' MAÏDENS A-RUNNÈN THE VIELDS.<a href="#p456n"><sup>*</sup></a></h4> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Come on. Be sprack, a-laggèn back."</p> +<p>"Oh! be there any cows to hook?"</p> +<p>"Lauk she's afraïd, a silly maïd,"</p> +<p>Cows? No, the cows be down by brook.</p> +<p>"O here then, oh! here is a lot."</p> +<p>"A lot o' what? what is it? what?"</p> +<p>"Why blackberries, as thick</p> +<p>As ever they can stick."</p> +<p>"I've dewberries, oh! twice</p> +<p>As good as they; so nice."</p> +<p>"Look here. Theäse boughs be all but blue</p> +<p>Wi' snags."</p> +<p class="i12"> "Oh! gi'e me down a vew."</p> +<p>"Come here, oh! do but look."</p> +<p>"What's that? what is it now?"</p> +<p>"Why nuts a-slippèn shell."</p> +<p>"Hee! hee! pull down the bough."</p> +<p>"I wish I had a crook."</p> +<p>"There zome o'm be a-vell."</p> +<p>(<i>One sings</i>)</p> +<p class="i12"> "I wish I was on Bimport Hill</p> +<p>I would zit down and cry my vill."</p> +<p>"Hee! hee! there's Jenny zomewhere nigh,</p> +<p>A-zingèn that she'd like to cry."</p><a name="page457" id="page457"></a><span class="left">[page 457]</span> +<p>(<i>Jenny sings</i>)</p> +<p class="i12">"I would zit down and cry my vill</p> +<p>Until my tears would dreve a mill."</p> +<p>"Oh! here's an ugly crawlèn thing,</p> +<p>A sneäke." "A slooworm; he wont sting."</p> +<p>"Hee! hee! how she did squal an' hop,</p> +<p>A-spinnèn roun' so quick's a top."</p> +<p>"Look here, oh! quick, be quick."</p> +<p>"What is it? what then? where?"</p> +<p>"A rabbit." "No, a heäre."</p> +<p>"Ooh! ooh! the thorns do prick,"</p> +<p>"How he did scote along the ground</p> +<p>As if he wer avore a hound."</p> +<p>"Now mind the thistles." "Hee, hee, hee,</p> +<p>Why they be knapweeds."</p> +<p>"No." "They be."</p> +<p>"I've zome'hat in my shoe."</p> +<p>"Zit down, an' sheäke it out."</p> +<p>"Oh! emmets, oh! ooh, ooh,</p> +<p>A-crawlèn all about."</p> +<p>"What bird is that, O harken, hush.</p> +<p>How sweetly he do zing."</p> +<p>"A nightingeäle." "La! no, a drush."</p> +<p>"Oh! here's a funny thing."</p> +<p>"Oh! how the bull do hook,</p> +<p>An' bleäre, an' fling the dirt."</p> +<p>"Oh! wont he come athirt?"</p> +<p>"No, he's beyond the brook."</p> +<p>"O lauk! a hornet rose</p> +<p>Up clwose avore my nose."</p> +<p>"Oh! what wer that so white</p> +<p>Rush'd out o' thik tree's top?"</p> +<p>"An owl." "How I did hop,</p> +<p>How I do sheäke wi' fright."</p> +<p>"A musheroom." "O lau!</p><a name="page458" id="page458"></a><span class="left">[page 458]</span> +<p class="i2">A twoadstool! Pwoison! Augh."</p> +<p>"What's that, a mouse?"</p> +<p class="i18"> "O no,</p> +<p>Teäke ceäre, why 'tis a shrow."</p> +<p>"Be sure don't let en come</p> +<p>An' run athirt your shoe</p> +<p>He'll meäke your voot so numb</p><a name="p458" id="p458"></a> +<p>That you wont veel a tooe."<a href="#p458n"><sup style="font-size: 0.7em;">†</sup></a></p> +<p>"Oh! what wer that so loud</p> +<p>A-rumblèn?" "Why a clap</p> +<p>O' thunder. Here's a cloud</p> +<p>O' raïn. I veel a drap."</p> +<p>"A thunderstorm. Do raïn.</p> +<p>Run hwome wi' might an' main."</p> +<p>"Hee! hee! oh! there's a drop</p> +<p>A-trïckled down my back. Hee! hee!"</p> +<p>"My head's as wet's a mop."</p> +<p>"Oh! thunder," "there's a crack. Oh! Oh!"</p> +<p>"Oh! I've a-got the stitch, Oh!"</p> +<p>"Oh! I've a-lost my shoe, Oh!"</p> +<p>"There's Fanny into ditch, Oh!"</p> +<p>"I'm wet all drough an' drough, Oh!"</p> + </div> + </div><br /><br /> + +<a name="p456n" id="p456n"></a> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p456"><sup>*</sup></a> The idea, though but little of the substance, of this poem,</span></p> +<p> <span style="font-size: smaller;">will be found in a little Italian poem called <i>Caccia</i>, written</span></p> +<p> <span style="font-size: smaller;">by Franco Sacchetti.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +<a name="p458n" id="p458n"></a> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p><span style="font-size: smaller;"><a href="#p458"><sup>†</sup></a> The folklore is, that if a shrew-mouse run over a person's</span></p> +<p> <span style="font-size: smaller;">foot, it will lame him.</span></p> +</div> +</div><br /><br /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/fancy_rule.png" width="210" height="40" alt="fancy rule" border="0" /> +</div> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +<a name="page459" id="page459"></a><span class="left">[page 459]</span> + + +<h3>A LIST </h3> + +<h5>OF </h5> + +<h2>SOME DORSET WORDS</h2><br /> + +<h3>WITH A FEW HINTS ON DORSET WORD-SHAPES.</h3><br /> + + + +<h4>THE MAIN SOUNDS.</h4> + +<div class="poem"> <div class="stanza"> +<p>1. <i>ee</i> in beet.</p> +<p>2. <i>e</i> in Dorset (a sound between 1 and 3.)</p> +<p>3. <i>a</i> in mate.</p> +<p>4. <i>i</i> in birth.</p> +<p>5. <i>a</i> in father.</p> +<p>6. <i>aw</i> in awe.</p> +<p>7. <i>o</i> in dote.</p> +<p>8. <i>oo</i> in rood.</p> + </div> + </div> + +<p>In Dorset words which are forms of book-English ones, the Dorset +words differ from the others mainly by Grimm's law, that "likes shift +into likes," and I have given a few hints by which the putting of an +English heading for the Dorset one will give the English word. If the +reader +is posed by <i>dreaten</i>, he may try for <i>dr</i>, <i>thr</i>, which +will bring out <i>threaten</i>. +See <i>Dr</i> under <i>D</i>.</p> + + +<p class="center"> +<a href="#A">A</a> | <a href="#B">B</a> | <a href="#C">C</a> | <a href="#D">D</a> | +<a href="#E">E</a> | <a href="#F">F</a> | <a href="#G">G</a> | <a href="#H">H</a> | +<a href="#J">J</a> | <a href="#K">K</a> | <a href="#L">L</a> | <a href="#M">M</a> | +<a href="#N">N</a> |<a href="#O">O</a> | <a href="#P">P</a> | <a href="#Q">Q</a> | +<a href="#R">R</a> | <a href="#S">S</a> | <a href="#T">T</a> | <a href="#U">U</a> | +<a href="#V">V</a> | <a href="#W">W</a> | <a href="#Y">Y</a> |<a href="#Z">Z</a> +<br /><br /></p> + + +<br /> + <a name="A" id="A"></a> + <ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>A.</h4></li> + +<li><i>a</i> in father, and <i>au</i> in daughter are, in "Blackmore," often <i>a</i> = 3. +<ul class="index1"><li>So king Alfred gives a legacy to his <i>yldsta dehter</i>—oldest daehter.</li> +<li><i>a</i> is a fore-eking to participles of a fore time, as <i>a-vound</i>;</li> +<li>also for the Anglo-Saxon <i>an</i>, <i>in</i> or <i>on</i>, as <i>a-huntèn</i> for +<i>an huntunge</i>.</li> + <li><i>aï</i>, <i>aÿ</i> (5, 1), Maïd, Maÿ. (<i>Note</i>—The numbers (as 5, 1) refer to the +foregiven table.)</li> + <li><i>ag</i>, often for <i>eg</i>, as bag, agg, beg, egg.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Anewst</i>, <i>Anighst</i>, very near, or nearly.</li> +<li> +<i>A'r a</i>, ever a, as.</li> +<li> +<i>A'r a dog</i>, ever a dog.</li> +<li> +<i>Amper</i>, pus.</li> +<li> +<i>A'r'n</i>, e'er a one.</li> +<li> +<i>A-stooded</i> (as a waggon), with wheels sunk fast into rotten ground.</li> +<li> +<i>A-stogged</i>, <i>A-stocked</i>, with feet stuck fast in clay.</li> +<li> +<i>A-strout</i>, stiff stretched.</li> +<li> +<i>A-thirt</i>, athwart (<i>th</i> soft).</li> +<li> +<i>A-vore</i>, afore, before.</li> +<li> +<i>Ax</i>, ask.</li> +<li> +<i>Axan</i>, ashes (of fire).</li> +<li> +<i>A-zew</i>, dry, milkless.</li> +</ul> + +<a name="B" id="B"></a> +<ul class="index"> +<li><h4>B.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Backbran' (brand)</i>, <i>Backbron' (brond)</i>, A big brand or block of wood put on the back of the fire.</li> +<li> +<i>Ballywrag</i>, scold.<a name="page460" id="page460"></a><span class="left">[page 460]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Bandy</i>, a long stick with a bent end to beat abroad cow-dung.</li> +<li> +<i>Barken</i>, <i>Barton</i>, a stack-yard or cow yard.</li> +<li> +<i>Bavèn</i>, a faggot of long brushwood.</li> +<li> +<i>Beä'nhan'</i> (1, 3, 5), bear in hand, uphold or maintain, as an opinion or otherwise.</li> +<li> +<i>Beät</i> (1, 4), <i>up</i>, to beat one's way up.</li> +<li> +<i>Bennets</i>, flower-stalks of grass.</li> +<li> +<i>Be'th</i>, birth.</li> +<li> +<i>Bibber</i>, to shake with cold. + <ul class="index1"><li>[This is a Friesic and not an Anglo-Saxon form of the word, and Halbertsma, + in his "Lexicon Frisicum," gives it, among others, as a token that Frisians came into Wessex with the Saxons. + <i>See</i> Eltrot.]</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Bissen</i>, thou bist not.</li> +<li> +<i>Bittle</i>, a beetle.</li> +<li> +<i>Blatch</i>, black stuff; smut.</li> +<li> +<i>Blather</i>, a bladder.</li> +<li> +<i>Bleäre</i> (1, 3), to low as a cow.</li> +<li> +<i>Blind-buck o' Davy</i>, blindman's buff.</li> +<li> +<i>Bloodywarrior</i>, the ruddy Stock gilliflower.</li> +<li> +<i>Blooèns</i>, blossoms.</li> +<li> +<i>Blooth</i>, blossom in the main.</li> +<li> +<i>Bluevinny</i>, blue mouldy.</li> +<li> +<i>Brack</i>, a breach. "Neither brack nor crack in it."</li> +<li> +<i>Bran'</i>, a brand.</li> +<li> +<i>Brantèn</i>, brazen-faced.</li> +<li> +<i>Bring-gwaïn</i> (Bring-going), to bring one on his way.</li> +<li> +<i>Brocks</i>, broken pieces (as of food).</li> +<li> +<i>Bron'</i>, a brand.</li> +<li> +<i>Bruckly</i>, <i>Bruckle</i>, brittle.</li> +<li> +<i>Bundle</i>, to bound off; go away quickly.</li> +<li> +<i>Bu'st</i>, burst.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="C" id="C"></a> +<ul class="index"> +<li><h4>C.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Caddle</i>, a muddle; a puzzling plight amid untoward things, such that a man knows not what to do first.</li> +<li> +<i>Car</i>, to carry.</li> +<li> +<i>Cassen</i>, <i>casn</i>, canst not.</li> +<li> +<i>Chanker</i>, a wide chink.</li> +<li> +<i>Charlick</i>, <i>charlock</i>, field-mustard; <i>Sinapis arvensis</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Charm</i>, a noise as of many voices.</li> +<li> +<i>Choor</i>, <i>a chare</i>, a (weekly) job as of house work.</li> +<li> +<i>Chuck</i>, to throw underhanded to a point, or for a catch.</li> +<li> +<i>Clack</i>, <i>Clacker</i>, a bird-clacker; a bird-boy's clacking tool, to fray away birds; also the tongue.</li> +<li> +<i>Clavy</i>, <i>Clavy-bwoard</i>, the mantel-shelf.</li> +<li> +<i>Clèden</i>, cleavers, goosegrass; <i>Galium aparine.</i></li> +<li> +<i>Clips</i>, to clasp.</li> +<li> +<i>Clitty</i>, clingy.</li> +<li> +<i>Clocks</i>, ornaments on the ankles of stockings.</li> +<li> +<i>Clom'</i>, clomb, climbed.</li> +<li> +<i>Clote</i>, the yellow water-lily; <i>Nuphar lutea</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Clout</i>, a blow with the flat hand.</li> +<li> +<i>Clum</i>, to handle clumsily.</li> +<li> +<i>Cluster o' vive</i> (cluster of five), the fist or hand with its five fingers; wording taken from a cluster of nuts.</li> +<li> +<i>Cockle</i>, <i>Cuckle</i>, the bur of the burdock.</li> +<li> +<i>Cockleshell</i>, snail shell.</li> +<li> +<i>Colepexy</i>, to glean the few apples left on the tree after intaking.</li> +<li> +<i>Coll</i> (7), to embrace the neck.</li> +<li> +<i>Conker</i>, the hip, or hep; the fruit of the briar.</li> +<li> +<i>Cothe</i>, <i>coath</i> (<i>th</i> soft), a disease of sheep, the plaice or flook, a flat worm <i>Distoma nepaticum</i> in the stomach.</li> +<li> +<i>Cou'den</i>, could not.</li> +<li> +<i>Coussen</i>, <i>Coossen</i>, <i>coosn,</i> couldest not.</li> +<li> +<i>Craze</i>, to crack a little.</li> +<li> +<i>Critch</i>, a big pitcher.</li> +<li> +<i>Crock</i>, an iron cooking-pot.</li> +<li> +<i>Croodle</i>, to crow softly.</li> +<li> +<i>Croop</i>, <i>Croopy-down</i>, to bend down the body; to stoop very low.</li> +<li> +<i>Crope</i>, crept.</li> +<li> +<i>Crowshell</i>, shell of the fresh-water mussel, as taken out of the river for food by crows.</li> +<li> +<i>Cubby-hole</i>, <i>Cubby-house</i>, between the father's knees.<a name="page461" id="page461"></a><span class="left">[page 461]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Culver</i>, the wood pigeon.</li> +<li> +<i>Cutty</i>, <i>Cut</i>, the kittywren.</li> +<li> +<i>Cweïn</i>, <i>Cwoïn</i>, (4, 1) coin.</li> +<li> +<i>Cwoffer</i> (8, 4, 4), a coffer.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="D" id="D"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>D.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Dadder</i>, <i>dather</i>, <i>dudder</i>, to maze or bewilder.</li> +<li> +<i>Dag</i>, <i>childag</i>, a chilblain.</li> +<li> +<i>Dake</i>, to ding or push forth.</li> +<li> +<i>Daps</i>, the very likeness, as that of a cast from the same mould.</li> +<li> +<i>Dather</i>, see <i>Dadder</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Dent</i>, a dint.</li> +<li> +<i>Dewberry</i>, a big kind of blackberry.</li> +<li> +<i>Dibs</i>, coins; but truly, the small knee bones of a sheep used in the game of Dibs.</li> +<li> +<i>Didden (didn)</i>, did not.</li> +<li> +<i>Do</i>, the <i>o</i>, when not under a strain of voice, is (4) as <i>e</i> in 'the man' or as <i>e</i> in the French <i>le</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Dod</i>, a dump.</li> +<li> +<i>Dogs</i>, andirons.</li> +<li> +<i>Don</i>, to put on.</li> +<li> +<i>Doust</i>, dust.</li> +<li> +<i>dr</i> for <i>thr</i> in some words, as Drash, thresh.</li> +<li> +<i>Drashel</i>, threshold.</li> +<li> +<i>Dreaten</i>, threaten.</li> +<li> +<i>Dree</i>, three.</li> +<li> +<i>Dringe</i>, <i>Drunge</i>, to throng; push as in a throng.</li> +<li> +<i>Droat</i>, throat.</li> +<li> +<i>Drong</i>, throng; also a narrow way.</li> +<li> +<i>Drough</i>, through.</li> +<li> +<i>Drow</i>, throw.</li> +<li> +<i>Drub</i>, throb.</li> +<li> +<i>Drush</i>, thrush.</li> +<li> +<i>Drust</i>, thrust.</li> +<li> +<i>Drean</i>, <i>Drène</i> (2), to drawl.</li> +<li> +<i>Drève</i> (2), drive.</li> +<li> +<i>Duck</i>, a darkening, dusk.</li> +<li> +<i>Dumbledore</i>, the humble bee.</li> +<li> +<i>Dummet</i>, dusk.</li> +<li> +<i>Dunch</i>, dull of hearing, or mind.</li> +<li> +<i>Dunch-nettle</i>, the dead nettle, <i>Lamium</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Dunch-pudden</i>, pudding of bare dough.</li> +<li> +<i>Dungpot</i>, a dungcart.</li> +<li> +<i>Dunt</i>, to blunten as an edge or pain.</li> +<li> +<i>Durns</i>, the side posts of a door.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="E" id="E"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>E.</h4></li> +<li> + long itself alone has mostly the Dorset sound (2.)</li> +<li> +<i>eä</i> (1, 4) for <i>ea</i>, with the <i>a</i> unsounded as lead, mead, leäd, meäd.</li> +<li> +<i>eä</i> (1, 3) for the long <i>a</i>, 3, as in lade, made, leäde, meäde.</li> +<li> +<i>ea</i> of one sound (2) as meat.</li> +<li> +<i>e</i> is put in before s after st, as nestes, nests, vistes, fists. +<ul class="index1"><li> +The two sundry soundings of <i>ea</i> 2 and 3 do not go by our spelling <i>ea</i> for both, +but have come from earlier forms of the words.</li> +<li> +After a roof letter it may stay as it is, a roof letter, as madden, madd'n; rotten, rott'n. +So with <i>en</i> for him, tell en, tell'n.</li> +<li> +The <i>en</i> sometimes at the end of words means not, as bisse'n, bist not; coust'en, cous'n, +could'st not; I didd'n, I did not; diss'n, didst not; hadd'n, had not; muss'n, must not; midd'n, +mid not; should'n, should not; 'tis'n, 'tis not; would'n, would not.</li> +<li> +<i>en</i>—not <i>èn</i>—in Dorset, as well as in book English, as an ending of some kinds of +words often, in running talk, loses the <i>e</i>, and in some cases shifts into a sound of the kind +of the one close before it. After a lip-letter it becomes a lip-letter <i>m</i>, as Rub en, Rub-him; +rub'n, rub'm; oven, ov'm; open, op'n op'm, in Dorset mostly oben, ob'n, ob'm. So after <i>f'</i>, +deafen, deaf'n, deaf m, heaven, heav'n, heav'm, in Dorset sometimes heab'm. zeven, zeb'n, zeb'm. +After a throat-letter it becomes a throat one, <i>ng</i>, as token, tok'n, tok'ng. +<ul class="index2"><li> +<i>ē</i> (2).</li></ul></li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Eegrass</i>, aftermath.</li> +<li> +<i>Eltrot</i>, Eltroot, cowparsley (<i>Myrrhis</i>). [Elt is Freisic, robustus,<a name="page462" id="page462"></a><span class="left">[page 462]</span> +vegetus, as cowparsley is among other kinds.] <i>See</i> Bibber.</li> +<li> +<i>Emmet</i>, an ant.</li> +<li> +<i>Emmetbut</i>, an anthill.</li> +<li> +<i>En</i>, him; A.-Saxon, <i>hine</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Èn</i>, for ing, zingèn, singing.</li> +<li> +<i>Eve</i>, to become wet as a cold stone floor from thickened steam in some weather.</li> +<li> +<i>Evet</i>, eft, newt.</li> +<li> +<i>Exe</i>, an axle.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="F" id="F"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>F.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Fakket</i>, a faggot.</li> +<li> +<i>Fall</i>, autumn; to fall down is <i>vall</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Faÿ</i> (5, 1) to speed, succeed.</li> +<li> +<i>Feäst</i> (1, 4), a village wake or festival; <i>festa</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Flag</i>, a water plant.</li> +<li> +<i>Flinders</i>, flying pieces of a body smashed; "Hit it all to flinders."</li> +<li> +<i>Flounce</i>, a flying fall as into water.</li> +<li> +<i>Flout</i>, a flinging, or blow of one.</li> +<li> +<i>Flush</i>, fledged.</li> +<li> +<i>Footy</i>, unhandily little.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="G" id="G"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>G.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Gally</i>, to frighten, fray.</li> +<li> +<i>Gee</i>, <i>jee</i>, to go, fit, speed.</li> +<li> +<i>Giddygander</i>, the meadow orchis.</li> +<li> +<i>Gil'cup</i>, gilt cup, the buttercup.</li> +<li> +<i>Girt</i>, great.</li> +<li> +<i>Glēne</i> (2), to smile sneeringly.</li> +<li> +<i>Glutch</i>, to swallow.</li> +<li> +<i>Gnang</i>, to mock one with jaw waggings, and noisy sounds.</li> +<li> +<i>Gnot</i>, a gnat.</li> +<li> +<i>Goo</i>, go.</li> +<li> +<i>Goocoo flower</i>, <i>Cardamine pratensis</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Goodnow</i>, goodn'er, good neighbour; my good friend; "No, no; not I, goodnow;" "No, no; not I, my good friend."</li> +<li> +<i>Goolden chain</i>, the laburnum.</li> +<li> +<i>Gout</i>, an underground gutter.</li> +<li> +<i>Grægle</i>, <i>Greygle</i>, the wild hyacinth, <i>Hyacinthus nonscriptus</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Gramfer</i>, grandfather.</li> +<li> +<i>Ground-ash</i>, an ash stick that springs from the ground, and so is tough; "Ground the pick," to put the stem of it on the ground, to raise a pitch of hay.</li> +<li> +<i>Gwoad</i> (8, 4), a goad.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="H" id="H"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>H.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Hacker</i>, a hoe.</li> +<li> +<i>Hagrod</i>, hagridden in sleep, if not under the nightmare.</li> +<li> +<i>Haïn</i> (5, 1), to fence in ground or shut up a field for mowing.</li> +<li> +<i>Ha'me</i>, see <i>Hau'm</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Hangèn</i>, sloping ground.</li> +<li> +<i>Hansel</i>, <i>Handsel</i>, a hand gift.</li> +<li> +<i>Hansel</i>, <i>Handsel</i>, to use a new thing for the first time.</li> +<li> +<i>Happer</i>, to hop up as hailstones or rain-drops from ground or pavement in a hard storm, or as down-shaken apples; to fall so hard as to hop up at falling.</li> +<li> +<i>Haps</i>, a hasp.</li> +<li> +<i>Ha'skim</i>, halfskim cheese of milk skimmed only once.</li> +<li> +<i>Hassen</i>, hast not.</li> +<li> +<i>Haum</i>, <i>Hulm</i>, <i>Haulm</i>, the hollow stalks of plants. <i>Teätie haum</i> potatoe stalks.</li> +<li> +<i>Hatch</i>, a low wicket or half door.</li> +<li> +<i>Haÿmeäkèn</i>, haymaking. +<ul class="index1"><li> +The steps of haymaking by hand, in the +rich meadow lands of Blackmore, ere +machines were brought into the field, were +these:—The grass being mown, and laying +in <i>swath</i> it was (1) <i>tedded</i>, spread evenly +over the ground; (2) it was <i>turned</i> to dry +the under side; (3) it was in the evening +raked up into <i>rollers</i>, each roller of the +grass of the stretch of one rake, and the +rollers were sometimes put up into hay +cocks; (4) in the morning the rollers were +cast abroad into <i>pa'sels</i> (parcels) or broad +lists, with clear ground between each two; +(5) the parcels were turned, and when dry +they were pushed up into <i>weäles</i> (weales) +or long ridges, and, with a fear of rain, the +weäles were put up into <i>pooks</i>, or big peaked +heaps; the waggon (often called the <i>plow</i>) +came along between two weäles or rows of +pooks, with two loaders, and a pitcher on +each side pitched up to them the hay of +his side, while two women raked after +plow, or raked up the leavings of the +pitchers, who stepped back from time to time to +take it from them.<a name="page463" id="page463"></a><span class="left">[page 463]</span></li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Hazen</i>, to forebode.</li> +<li> +<i>Hazzle</i>, hazel.</li> +<li> +<i>Heal</i> (2), hide, to cover.</li> +<li> +<i>Heal pease</i>, to hoe up the earth on them.</li> +<li> +<i>Heän</i> (1, 4), a haft, handle.</li> +<li> +<i>Heft</i>, weight.</li> +<li> +<i>Herence</i>, hence.</li> +<li> +<i>Here right</i>, here on the spot, etc.</li> +<li> +<i>Het</i>, heat, also a heat in running.</li> +<li> +<i>Het</i>, to hit.</li> +<li> +<i>Heth</i>, a hearth, a heath.</li> +<li> +<i>Hick</i>, to hop on one leg.</li> +<li> +<i>Hidelock</i>, <i>Hidlock</i>, a hiding place. "He is in hidelock." He is absconded.</li> +<li> +<i>Hidybuck</i>, hide-and-seek, the game.</li> +<li> +<i>Hile of Sheaves</i>, ten, 4 against 4 in a ridge, and 1 at each end.</li> +<li> +<i>Ho</i>, to feel misgiving care.</li> +<li> +<i>Hodmadod</i>, a little dod or dump; in some parts of England a snail.</li> +<li> +<i>Holm</i>, ho'me, holly.</li> +<li> +<i>Hook</i>, to gore as a cow.</li> +<li> +<i>Honeyzuck</i>, honeysuckle.</li> +<li> +<i>Ho'se-tinger</i>, the dragon-fly, <i>Libellula</i>. +<ul class="index1"><li><i>Horse</i> does not mean a horse, +but is an adjective meaning coarse or big of its kind, as in horse-radish, or horse-chesnut; +most likely the old form of the word gave name to the horse as the big beast where there was not +an elephant or other greater one. The dragon-fly is, in some parts called the "tanging ether" or +tanging adder, from <i>tang</i>, a long thin body, and a sting. Very few Dorset folk believe that +the dragon-fly stings horses any more than that the horse eats horse-brambles or horse-mushrooms.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Hud</i>, a pod, a hood-like thing.</li> +<li> +<i>Ho'se</i>, hoss, a board on which a ditcher may stand in a wet ditch.</li> +<li> +<i>Huddick</i> (hoodock), a fingerstall.</li> +<li> +<i>Hull</i>, a pod, a hollow thing.</li> +<li> +<i>Humbuz</i>, a notched strip of lath, swung round on a string, and humming or buzzing.</li> +<li> +<i>Humstrum</i>, a rude, home made musical instrument, now given up.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="J" id="J"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>J.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Jack-o'-lent</i>, a man-like scarecrow. + <ul class="index1"><li>The true Jack-o'-lent was, as we learn from Taylor, the water poet, a ragged, + lean-like figure which went as a token of Lent, in olden times, in Lent processions.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Jist</i>, just.</li> +<li> +<i>Jut</i>, to nudge or jog quickly.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="K" id="K"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>K.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Kag</i>, a keg.</li> +<li> +<i>Kapple cow</i>, a cow with a white muzzle.</li> +<li> +<i>Kern</i>, to grow into fruit.</li> +<li> +<i>Ketch</i>, <i>Katch</i>, to thicken or harden from thinness, as melted fat.</li> +<li> +<i>Kecks</i>, <i>Kex</i>, a stem of the hemlock or cowparsley.</li> +<li> +<i>Keys</i>, (2), the seed vessels of the sycamore.</li> +<li> +<i>Kid</i>, a pod, as of the pea.</li> +<li> +<i>Kittyboots</i>, low uplaced boots, a little more than ancle high.</li> +<li> +<i>Knap</i>, a hillock, a head, or knob, (2.) a knob-like bud, as of the potatoe. "The teäties be out in knap."</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="L" id="L"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>L.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Läiter</i> (5, 1), one run of laying of a hen.</li> +<li> +<i>Leän</i> (1, 4), to lean.</li> +<li> +<i>Leäne</i> (1, 3), a lane.</li> +<li> +<i>Leäse</i> (1, 4), to glean.</li> +<li> +<i>Leäse</i> (1, 4), <i>Leäze</i>, an unmown field, stocked through the Spring and Summer.</li> +<li> +<i>Leer</i>, <i>Leery</i>, empty.</li> +<li> +<i>Lence</i>, a loan, a lending.</li> +<li> +<i>Levers</i>, <i>Livers</i>, the corn flag.</li> +<li> +<i>Lew</i>, sheltered from cold wind.</li> +<li> +<i>Lewth</i>, lewness.</li> +<li> +<i>Libbets</i>, loose-hanging rags.</li> +<li> +<i>Limber</i>, limp.</li> +<li> +<i>Linch</i>, <i>Linchet</i>, a ledge on a hill-side.</li> +<li> +<i>Litsome</i>, lightsome, gay.</li> +<li> +<i>Litty</i>, light and brisk of body.</li> +<li> +<i>Lo't</i> (7), loft, an upper floor.</li> +<li> +<i>Lowl</i>, to loll loosely.<a name="page464" id="page464"></a><span class="left">[page 464]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Lumper</i>, a loose step.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="M" id="M"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>M.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Maesh</i> (2), <i>Mesh</i>, (Blackmore) moss, also a hole or run of a hare, fox, or other wild animal.</li> + <li> +<i>Mammet</i>, an image, scarecrow.</li> +<li> +<i>Marrels</i>, <i>Merrels</i>, The game of nine men's morris.</li> +<li> +<i>Mawn</i>, mān, (5) a kind of basket.</li> +<li> +<i>Meäden</i> (1, 4), stinking chamomile.</li> +<li> +<i>Ment</i> (2), to imitate, be like.</li> +<li> +<i>Mēsh</i>, (2) moss.</li> +<li> +<i>Mid</i>, might.</li> +<li> +<i>Miff</i>, a slight feud, a tiff.</li> +<li> +<i>Min</i> (2), observe. You must know.</li> +<li> +<i>Mither ho</i>, come hither. A call to a horse on the road.</li> +<li> +<i>Moot</i>, the bottom and roots of a felled tree.</li> +<li> +<i>More</i>, a root, taproot.</li> +<li> +<i>Muggy</i>, misty, damp (weather).</li> +</ul> + +<a name="N" id="N"></a> +<ul class="index"> +<li><h4>N</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Na'r a</i>, never a (man).</li> +<li> +<i>Nar'n</i>, never a one.</li> +<li> +<i>N'eet</i>, not yet.</li> +<li> +<i>Nēsh</i> (2), soft.</li> +<li> +<i>Nesthooden</i>, a hooding over a bird's nest, as a wren's.</li> +<li> +<i>Netlèns</i>, a food of a pig's inwards tied in knots.</li> +<li> +<i>Never'stide</i>, never at all.</li> +<li> +<i>Nicky</i>, a very small fagot of sticks.</li> +<li> +<i>Nïppy</i>, hungry, catchy.</li> +<li> +<i>Nitch</i>, a big fagot of wood; a load; a fagot of wood which custom allows a hedger to carry home at night.</li> +<li> +<i>Not</i> (hnot or knot), hornless.</li> +<li> +<i>Nother</i>, neither (adverb).</li> +<li> +<i>Nunch</i>, a nog or knob of food.</li> +<li> +<i>Nut</i> (of a wheel), the stock or nave.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="O" id="O"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>O.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>O'</i>, of.</li> +<li> +<i>O'm</i> (2), of em, them.</li> +<li> +<i>O'n</i> (2), of him.</li> +<li> +<i>O's</i> (2), of us.</li> +<li> +<i>Orts</i>, leavings of hay put out in little heaps in the fields for the cows.</li> +<li> +<i>Over-right</i>, opposite.</li> +<li> +<i>Oves</i>, eaves.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="P" id="P"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>P.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Paladore</i>, a traditional name of Shaftesbury, the British <i>Caer Paladr</i>, +<ul class="index1"><li>said by British history to have been founded by <i>Rhun Paladr-bras</i>, 'Rhun of the stout spear.'</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Pank</i>, pant.</li> +<li> +<i>Par</i>, to shut up close; confine.</li> +<li> +<i>Parrick</i>, a small enclosed field; a paddock—but paddock was an old word for a toad or frog.</li> +<li> +<i>Pa'sels</i>, parcels. <i>See</i> Haÿmeäkèn.</li> +<li> +<i>Peärt</i> (1, 4), pert; lively.</li> +<li> +<i>Peaze</i>, <i>Peeze</i> (2), to ooze.</li> +<li> +<i>Peewit</i>, the lapwing.</li> +<li> +<i>Pitch</i>. <i>See</i> Haÿmeäkèn.</li> +<li> +<i>Plesh</i>, (2) <i>Plush</i> (a hedge), to lay it. + <ul class="index1"><li>To cut the stems half off and peg them down on the bank where they sprout upward.<br /> + To plush, shear, and trim a hedge are sundry handlings of it.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Plim</i>, to swell up.</li> +<li> +<i>Plock</i>, a hard block of wood.</li> +<li> +<i>Plow</i>, a waggon, often so called. + <ul class="index1"><li>The plough or plow for ploughing is the Zull.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Plounce</i>, a strong plunge.</li> +<li> +<i>Pluffy</i>, plump.</li> +<li> +<i>Pont</i>, to hit a fish or fruit, so as to bring on a rotting.</li> +<li> +<i>Pooks</i>. <i>See</i> Haÿmeäkèn.</li> +<li> +<i>Popple</i>, a pebble.</li> +<li> +<i>Praïse</i> (5, 1), prize, to put forth or tell to others a pain or ailing. +<ul class="index1"><li>"I had a risèn on my eärm, but I didden praïse it," say anything about it.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Pummy</i>, pomice. +<ul class="index1"><li> + <i>ps</i> for <i>sp</i> in clasp, claps; hasp, haps; wasp, waps.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="Q" id="Q"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>Q.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Quaer</i>, queer.<a name="page465" id="page465"></a><span class="left">[page 465]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Quag</i>, a quaking bog.</li> +<li> +<i>Quar</i>, a quarry.</li> +<li> +<i>Quarrel</i>, a square window pane.</li> +<li> +<i>Quid</i>, a cud.</li> +<li> +<i>Quirk</i>, to grunt with the breath without the voice.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="R" id="R"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>R.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>R</i>, at the head of a word, is strongly breathed, as <i>Hr</i> in Anglo-Saxon, as <i>Hhrong</i>, the rong of a ladder. +<ul class="index1"><li> +<i>R</i> is given in Dorset by a rolling of the tongue back under the roof.</li> +<li> +For <i>or</i>, as an ending sometimes given before a free breathing, or <i>h</i>, try <i>ow</i>,—<i>hollor</i>, hollow.</li> +<li> +<i>R</i> before <i>s</i>, <i>st</i>, and <i>th</i> often goes out, as bu'st, burst; ve'ss, verse; be'th, birth; cu'st, curst; +fwo'ce, force; me'th, mirth.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Raft</i>, to rouse, excite.</li> +<li> +<i>Rake</i>, to reek.</li> +<li> +<i>Ram</i>, <i>Rammish</i>, rank of smell.</li> +<li> +<i>Rammil</i>, raw milk (cheese), of unskimmed milk.</li> +<li> +<i>Ramsclaws</i>, the creeping crowfoot. <i>Ranunculus repens</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Randy</i>, a merry uproar or meeting.</li> +<li> +<i>Rangle</i>, to range or reach about.</li> +<li> +<i>Rathe</i>, early; whence rather.</li> +<li> +<i>Ratch</i>, to stretch.</li> +<li> +<i>Readship</i>, criterion, counsel.</li> +<li> +<i>Reämes</i>, (1, 3), skeleton, frame.</li> +<li> +<i>Reän</i> (1, 4), to reach in greedily in eating.</li> +<li> +<i>Reäves</i>, a frame of little rongs on the side of a waggon.</li> +<li> +<i>Reed</i> (2), wheat hulm drawn for thatching.</li> +<li> +<i>Reely</i>, to dance a reel.</li> +<li> +<i>Reem</i>, to stretch, broaden.</li> +<li> +<i>Rick</i>, a stack.</li> +<li> +<i>Rig</i>, to climb about.</li> +<li> +<i>Rivel</i>, shrivel; to wrinkle up.</li> +<li> +<i>Robin Hood</i>, The Red campion.</li> +<li> +<i>Roller</i> (6, 4). <i>See</i> Haÿmeäkèn. + <ul class="index1"><li>A Roller was also a little roll of wool from the card of a woolcomber.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Rottlepenny</i>, the yellow rattle. <i>Rhinanthus Crista-galli</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Rouet</i>, a rough tuft of grass.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="S" id="S"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>S.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Sammy</i>, soft, a soft head; simpleton.</li> +<li> +<i>Sar</i>, to serve or give food to (cattle).</li> +<li> +<i>Sarch</i>, to search.</li> +<li> +<i>Scote</i>, to shoot along fast in running.</li> +<li> +<i>Scrag</i>, a crooked branch of a tree.</li> +<li> +<i>Scraggle</i>, to screw scramly about (of a man), to screw the limbs scramly as from rheumatism.</li> +<li> +<i>Scram</i>, distorted, awry.</li> +<li> +<i>Scroff</i>, bits of small wood or chips, as from windfalls or hedge plushing.</li> +<li> +<i>Scroop</i>, to skreak lowly as new shoes or a gate hinge.</li> +<li> +<i>Scud</i>, a sudden or short down-shooting of rain, a shower.</li> +<li> +<i>Scwo'ce</i>, chop or exchange.</li> +<li> +<i>Settle</i>, a long bench with a high planken back.</li> +<li> +<i>Shard</i>, a small gap in a hedge.</li> +<li> +<i>Sharps</i>, shafts of a waggon.</li> +<li> +<i>Shatten</i>, shalt not.</li> +<li> +<i>Shroud</i> (trees), to cut off branches.</li> +<li> +<i>Sheeted cow</i>, with a broad white band round her body.</li> +<li> +<i>Shoulden (Shoodn)</i>, should not.</li> +<li> +<i>Shrow</i>, <i>Sh'ow</i>, <i>Sh'ow-crop</i>, the shrew mouse.</li> +<li> +<i>Skim</i>, <i>Skimmy</i>, grass; to cut off rank tuffs, or rouets.</li> +<li> +<i>Slaït</i>, (5, 1) <i>Slite</i>, a slade, or sheep run.</li> +<li> +<i>Slent</i>, a tear in clothes.</li> +<li> +<i>Slidder</i>, to slide about.</li> +<li> +<i>Slim</i>, sly.</li> +<li> +<i>Sloo</i>, sloe.</li> +<li> +<i>Slooworm</i>, the slow-worm.</li> +<li> +<i>Smame</i>, to smear.</li> +<li> +<i>Smeech</i>, a cloud of dust.</li> +<li> +<i>Smert</i>, to smart; pain.</li> +<li> +<i>Snabble</i>, to snap up quickly.</li> +<li> +<i>Snags</i>, small pea-big sloes, also stumps.</li> +<li> +<i>Sneäd</i> (1, 4), a scythe stem.</li> +<li> +<i>Snoatch</i>, to breathe loudly through the nose.</li> +<li> +<i>Snoff</i>, a snuff of a candle.</li> +<li> +<i>Sock</i>, a short loud sigh.</li> +<li> +<i>Spur (dung)</i>, to cast it abroad.<a name="page466" id="page466"></a><span class="left">[page 466]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Squaïl</i> (5, 1), to fling something at a bird or ought else.</li> +<li> +<i>Squot</i>, to flatten by a blow.</li> +<li> +<i>Sowel</i>, <i>Zowel</i>, a hurdle stake.</li> +<li> +<i>Sparbill</i>, <i>Sparrabill</i>, a kind of shoe nail.</li> +<li> +<i>Spars</i>, forked sticks used in thatching.</li> +<li> +<i>Speäker</i> (1 4), a long spike of wood to bear the hedger's nitch on his shoulder.</li> +<li> +<i>Spears</i>, <i>Speers</i>, the stalks of reed grass.</li> +<li> +<i>Spik</i>, spike, lavender.</li> +<li> +<i>Sprack</i>, active.</li> +<li> +<i>Sprethe</i> (2), to chap as of the skin, from cold.</li> +<li> +<i>Spry</i>, springy in leaping, or limb work.</li> +<li> +<i>Staddle</i>, a bed or frame for ricks.</li> +<li> +<i>Staïd</i> (5, 1), steady, oldish.</li> +<li> +<i>Stannèns</i>, stalls in a fair or market.</li> +<li> +<i>Steän</i> (1, 4) (a road), to lay it in stone.</li> +<li> +<i>Steärt</i> (1, 4), a tail or outsticking thing.</li> +<li> +<i>Stout</i>, the cowfly, <i>Tabanus</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Stitch</i> (of corn), a conical pile of sheaves.</li> +<li> +<i>Strawèn</i>, a strewing. All the potatoes of one mother potatoe.</li> +<li> +<i>Strawmote</i>, a straw or stalk.</li> +<li> +<i>Strent</i>, a long slent or tear.</li> +<li> +<i>Streech</i>, an outstretching (as of a rake in raking); a-strout stretched out stiffly like frozen linen.</li> +<li> +<i>Stubbard</i>, a kind of apple.</li> +<li> +<i>Stunpoll</i> (7), stone head, blockhead; also an old tree almost dead.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="T" id="T"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>T.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>th</i> is soft (as <i>th</i> in thee), as a heading of these words:—thatch, thief, thik, thimble, thin, think, thumb.</li> +<li> +<i>Tack</i>, a shelf on a wall.</li> +<li> +<i>Taffle</i>, to tangle, as grass or corn beaten down by storms.</li> +<li> +<i>Taït</i>, to play at see-saw.</li> +<li> +<i>Tamy</i> (3, 1), <i>tammy</i> (5, 1), tough, that may be drawn out in strings, as rich toasted cheese.</li> +<li> +<i>Teäve</i>, (1, 3), to reach about strongly as in work or a struggle.</li> +<li> +<i>Teery</i>, <i>Tewly</i>, weak of growth.</li> +<li> +<i>Tewly</i>, weakly.</li> +<li> +<i>Theäse</i>, this or these.</li> +<li> +<i>Theasum</i> (1, 4), these.</li> +<li> +<i>Tidden (tidn)</i>, it is not.</li> +<li> +<i>Tilty</i>, touchy, irritable.</li> +<li> +<i>Timmersome</i>, restless.</li> +<li> +<i>Tine</i>, to kindle, also to fence in ground.</li> +<li> +<i>Tistytosty</i>, a toss ball of cowslip blooms.</li> +<li> +<i>To-year</i>, this year (as to-day.)</li> +<li> +<i>Tranter</i>, a common carrier.</li> +<li> +<i>Trendel</i>, a shallow tub.</li> +<li> +<i>Tump</i>, a little mound.</li> +<li> +<i>Tun</i>, the top of the chimney above the roof ridge.</li> +<li> +<i>Tut</i> (work), piecework.</li> +<li> +<i>Tutty</i>, a nosegay.</li> +<li> +<i>Tweil</i>, (4, 1) toil.</li> +<li> +<i>Twite</i>, to twit reproach.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="U" id="U"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>U.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Unheal</i>, uncover, unroof.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="V" id="V"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>V.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>v</i> is taken for <i>f</i> as the heading of some purely English words, as vall, fall, vind, find.</li> +<li> +<i>Veag</i>, <i>Vēg</i> (2), a strong fit of anger.</li> +<li> +<i>Vern</i>, fern.</li> +<li> +<i>Ve'se</i>, vess, a verse.</li> +<li> +<i>Vinny cheese</i>, cheese with fen or blue-mould.</li> +<li> +<i>Vitty</i>, nice in appearance.</li> +<li> +<i>Vlanker</i>, a flake of fire.</li> +<li> +<i>Vlee</i>, fly.</li> +<li> +<i>Vo'k</i>, folk.</li> +<li> +<i>Vooty</i>, unhandily little.</li> +<li> +<i>Vuz</i>, <i>Vuzzen</i>, furze, gorse.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="W" id="W"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>W.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>wo</i> (8, 4), for the long o, 7, as bwold, bold; cwold, cold.</li> +<li> +<i>Wag</i>, to stir.<a name="page467" id="page467"></a><span class="left">[page 467]</span></li> +<li> +<i>Wagwanton</i>, quaking grass.</li> +<li> +<i>Weäse</i>, (1, 4) a pad or wreath for the head under a milkpail.</li> +<li> +<i>Weäle</i> (1, 3), a ridge of dried hay; see <i>Haÿmeäkèn</i>.</li> +<li> +<i>Welshnut</i>, a walnut.</li> +<li> +<i>Werden</i>, were not or was not.</li> +<li> +<i>Wevet</i>, a spider's web.</li> +<li> +<i>Whindlèn</i>, weakly, small of growth.</li> +<li> +<i>Whicker</i>, to neigh.</li> +<li> +<i>Whiver</i>, to hover, quiver.</li> +<li> +<i>Whog</i>, go off; to a horse.</li> +<li> +<i>Whur</i>, to fling overhanded.</li> +<li> +<i>Wi'</i>, with.</li> +<li> +<i>Widdicks</i>, withes or small brushwood.</li> +<li> +<i>Wink</i>, a winch; crank of a well.</li> +<li> +<i>Withwind</i>, the bindweed,</li> +<li> +<i>Wont</i>, a mole.</li> +<li> +<i>Wops</i>, wasp. + <ul class="index1"><li><i>ps</i>, not <i>sp</i>, in Anglo-Saxon, and now in Holstein.</li></ul></li> +<li> +<i>Wotshed</i>, <i>Wetshod</i>, wet-footed.</li> +<li> +<i>Wride</i>, to spread out in growth.</li> +<li> +<i>Wride</i>, the set of stems or stalks from one root or grain of corn.</li> +<li> +<i>Writh</i>, a small wreath of tough wands, to link hurdles to the sowels (stakes).</li> +<li> +<i>Wrix</i>, wreathed or wattle work, as a fence.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="Y" id="Y"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>Y.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>Yop</i>, yelp.</li> +</ul> + +<a class="index" name="Z" id="Z"></a> +<ul class="index"> + +<li><h4>Z.</h4></li> +<li> +<i>z</i> for <i>s</i> as a heading of some, not all, pure Saxon + words, nor [or?] for <i>s</i> of inbrought foreign words.</li> +<li> +<i>Zand</i>, sand.</li> +<li> +<i>Zennit</i>, <i>Zennight</i>, seven night; "This day zennit."</li> +<li> +<i>Zew, azew</i>, milkless.</li> +<li> +<i>Zoo</i>, so.</li> +<li> +<i>Zive</i>, a scythe.</li> +<li> +<i>Zull</i> a plough to plough ground.</li> +<li> +<i>Zwath</i>, a swath.</li> +</ul> + + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <hr class="short" /> + + +<p class="center"> +<i>Turnbull & Spears, Printers.</i></p> + + + <hr class="short" /> + + + + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<table align="center" summary="note"> +<tr> + <td class="note"> +Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> +TOC: 423 corrected to 243<br /> +Page 137: Replaced missing end-quote.<br /> +Page 194: Replaced missing end-quote.<br /> +Page 197: Changed jäy to jaÿ.<br /> +Page 235: replaced two periods with commas.<br /> +Page 243: restored title: BLEÄKE'S HOUSE IN BLACKMWORE.<br /> +Page 297: Replaced missing end-quote.<br /> +Page 350: Changed jäy to jaÿ.<br /> +Page 368: "J. L., *T. D., at Meldonley." has no following footnote.<br /> +Page 432: changed däy to daÿ.<br /> +Page 444: Replaced missing end-quote.<br /> +Index: Added missing stops to E, F, G, H.<br /> + + Realigned 'Scote' alphabetically.<br /> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<a name="oefont"></a> +<p class="note">Old English font is available here: <br />[http://www.] uk-genealogy.org.uk/resources/ +<a href="#top">return</a></p> +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset +Dialect, by William Barnes + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS OF RURAL LIFE *** + +***** This file should be named 21785-h.htm or 21785-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/7/8/21785/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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