Poem by William Barnes

First Collection. Summer. The Evenèn Star o’ Zummer

When vu’st along theäse road vrom mill,
I zeed ye hwome all up the hill,
The poplar tree, so straïght an’ tall,
Did rustle by the watervall;
An’ in the leäze the cows war all
 A-lyèn down to teäke their rest.
 An’ slowly zunk towárd the west
  The evenèn star o’ zummer.

In parrock there the haÿ did lie
In weäle below the elems, dry;
An’ up in hwome-groun’ Jim, that know’d
We all should come along thik road,
D a-tied the grass in knots that drow’d
 Poor Poll, a-watchèn in the West
 Woone brighter star than all the rest,—
  The evenèn star o’ zummer.

The stars that still do zet an’ rise,
Did sheen in our forefather’s eyes;
They glitter’d to the vu’st men’s zight,
The last will have em in their night;
But who can vind em half so bright
 As I thought thik peäle star above
 My smilèn Jeäne, my zweet vu’st love,
  The evenèn star o’ zummer.

How sweet’s the mornèn fresh an’ new,
Wi’ sparklèn brooks an’ glitt’rèn dew;
How sweet’s the noon wi’ sheädes a-drow’d
Upon the groun’ but leätely mow’d,
An’ bloomèn flowers all abrode;
 But sweeter still, as I do clim’,
 Theäse woody hill in evenèn dim
  ’S the evenèn star o’ zummer.

1. Second Collection. The Linden on the Lawn
2. Second Collection. When Birds be Still
3. Third Collection. Went vrom Hwome
4. Third Collection. Changes
5. First Collection. Summer. Week’s End in Zummer, in the Wold Vo’k’s Time

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