W. V. Her Book and Various Verses By William Canton ... With Two Illustrations by C. E. Brock |
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“Si j'avais un arpent” |
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 | W. V. Her Book and Various Verses |  |
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“Si j'avais un arpent”
Oh, had I but a plot of earth, on plain or vale or hill,
With running water babbling through, in torrent, spring, or rill,
With running water babbling through, in torrent, spring, or rill,
I'd plant a tree, an olive or an oak or willow-tree,
And build a roof of thatch, or tile, or reed, for mine and me.
And build a roof of thatch, or tile, or reed, for mine and me.
Upon my tree a nest of moss, or down, or wool, should hold
A songster—finch or thrush or blackbird with its bill of gold;
A songster—finch or thrush or blackbird with its bill of gold;
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Beneath my roof a child, with brown or blond or chestnut hair,
Should find in hammock, cradle or crib a nest, and slumber there.
Should find in hammock, cradle or crib a nest, and slumber there.
I ask for but a little plot; to measure my domain,
I'd say to Babs, my bairn of bliss, “Go, alderliefest wean,
I'd say to Babs, my bairn of bliss, “Go, alderliefest wean,
“And stand against the rising sun; your shadow on the grass
Shall trace the limits of my world; beyond I shall not pass.
Shall trace the limits of my world; beyond I shall not pass.
“The happiness one can't attain is dream and glamour-shine!”
These rhymes are Soulary's; the thoughts are Babs's thoughts and mine.
| W. V. Her Book and Various Verses | |