University of Virginia Library

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG TOGETHER

JOHN AND FRIEND
J.
When we, all friends, in manhood's prime,
Did meet, work free, with weather fine;
And you had made, at evening time,
Your work-day good, as I had mine.
Then one would call, as he might come,
To fetch another out from home:
‘Come out a while with me.’
‘Aye, I shall soon be free.’
‘How long have I to wait?’
‘Why, I am coming straight.’

Fr.
Aye, aye, 'twas so, we did, I know,
When we were young together.

J.
While summer days might slowly run,
Through noons of shrunken shades, and heat,
And we, well-brown'd below the sun,
Might meet, and call as we might meet:
‘Hallo! why you but seldom come
For me.’ ‘Nor you for me at home.’
‘Well, where's your road to night?
‘Where you should go by right’
‘Shall I be welcome there?’
‘To one, I'd nearly swear.’

Fr.
Aye, aye, like that, we used to chat,
When we were young together.

J.
Then we, with many dear old names,
Would meet within some neighbour's door,
And man and maid, in merry games,
Would spring and scuff about the floor.
If one might speak a little tart,
Another's answer was as smart.
‘With whom are you to go?
‘Here face to face in row.’
‘Here, now we'll dance a reel,’
‘Well foot it, toe and heel.’

Fr.
Aye, there we danced,
And hopp'd and pranced,
When we were young together.

J.
Then we in all our pride, would try
Which man could run, or leap the best,
Or lift the greatest weight, or shy
A pebble truer than the rest.
‘Who'll walk along these narrow poles?’
‘Not you, my lad, with your splay soles,’
‘Now, you can't hit that stone.’
‘I can, whee-it. Well done!
‘Well, you can't clear the brook.’
‘Oh, can't I then? You look.’

Fr.
And down he dash'd, as water splash'd,
When we were young together.

Fr.
And down he fell, you need not tell,
When we were young together.