Page:Barnes (1879) Poems of rural life in the Dorset dialect (combined).djvu/217

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zuns do roll vrom east to west To bring us work, or leäve us rest, There down below the steep hill-zide, Drough time an’ tide, the spring do flow; An’ mothers there, vor years a-gone, Lik’ daughters now a-comèn on, To bloom when they be weak an’ wan, Went down the steps vor water.

An’ what do yonder ringers tell A-ringèn changes, bell by bell; Or what’s a-show’d by yonder zight O’ vo’k in white, upon the road. But that by John o’ Woodleys zide, There ’s now a-blushèn vor his bride, A pretty maïd that vu’st he spied, Gwaïn down the steps vor water.

Though she, ’tis true, is feäir an’ kind, There still be mwore a-left behind; So cleän ’s the light the zun do gi’e, So sprack ’s a bee when zummer’s bright; An’ if I’ve luck, I woont be slow To teäke off woone that I do know, A-trippèn gaïly to an’ fro. Upon the steps vor water.

Her father idden poor—but vew In parish be so well to do; Vor his own cows do swing their taïls Behind his païls, below his boughs: An’ then ageän to win my love, Why, she’s as hwomely as a dove, An’ don’t hold up herzelf above Gwaïn down the steps vor water.