Poems of Rural Life in Common English :: :: University of Virginia Library

Well, to day, then, I shall roll off on the road
Round by Woodcombe, out to Shellbrook, to the mill;
With my brand-new little spring-cart, with a load,
To come loadless round by Chalk-hill, at my will:
As the whole day will be dry,
By the tokens of the sky,
Come to meet me, with the children, on the road.

For the sunshine, from the blue sky's hollow height,
Now is glitt'ring on the stream-wave, and the sedge;
And the orchard is a broad sheet of the white
Of new blossom, over blossom on the hedge:

184

So when clock-bells ring out four,
Let them send you out of door,
Come to meet me, with the children, on the road.

You can saunter, if I'm lated by the clock,
To some blue-bells, for the children, on the ridge;
Or can loiter by the tree-shades, on the rock
Where the water tumbles headlong by the bridge:
While the boy's line and his hook
May catch minnows in the brook,
Out to meet me, with his sister, on the road.

You may dawdle, for a furlong on a-head,
And be welcome at the Weldons, on the knap,
Where the cowslips are so close grown in a bed,
That our Poll's hands will have soon fill'd up her lap,
For a toss-ball, up as big
As her small head's curly wig,
Out to meet me, with her brother, on the road.

185

At the time, then, I have told you, you may hear
My two wheel-rims and four horse-shoes on the road,
And the spring-cart with the seat up, near and near,
To spin you home, with the children, for its load.
So come out, then, to the sun,
With the children, for a run:
Come and meet me, with the children, on the road.