Poem by William Barnes

Second Collection. Light or Sheäde

A Maÿtide’s evenèn wer a-dyèn,
Under moonsheen, into night,
Wi’ a streamèn wind a-sighèn
By the thorns a-bloomèn white.
Where in sheäde, a-zinkèn deeply,
Wer a nook, all dark but lew,
By a bank, arisèn steeply,
Not to let the win’ come drough.

Should my love goo out, a-showèn
All her smiles, in open light;
Or, in lewth, wi’ wind a-blowèn,
Staÿ in darkness, dim to zight?
Staÿ in sheäde o’ bank or wallèn.
In the warmth, if not in light;
Words alwone vrom her a-vallèn,
Would be jaÿ vor all the night.

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

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