Poem by William Barnes

Second Collection. Spring

Now the zunny aïr’s a-blowèn
Softly over flowers a-growèn;
An’ the sparklèn light do quiver
On the ivy-bough an’ river;
Bleätèn lambs, wi’ woolly feäces,
Now do plaÿ, a-runnèn reäces;
   An’ the springèn
   Lark’s a-zingèn,
Lik’ a dot avore the cloud,
High above the ashes sh’oud.

Housèn, in the open brightness,
Now do sheen in spots o’ whiteness;
Here an’ there, on upland ledges,
In among the trees an’ hedges,
Where, along by vlocks o’ sparrows,
Chatt’rèn at the ploughman’s harrows,
   Dousty rwoaded,
   Errand-lwoaded;
Jenny, though her cloak is thin,
Do wish en hwome upon the pin.

Zoo come along, noo longer heedvul
Ov the viër, leätely needvul,
Over grass o’ slopèn leäzes,
Zingèn zongs in zunny breezes;
Out to work in copse, a-mootèn,
Where the primrwose is a-shooèn,
   An in gladness,
   Free o’ sadness,
In the warmth o’ Spring vorget
Leafless winter’s cwold an’ wet.

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

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