Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/576

 

in love with all these three,

The Weald and the Marsh and the Down countre.

Nor I don't know which I love the most,

The Weald or the Marsh or the white Chalk coast!

I've buried my heart in a ferny hill,

Twix' a liddle low shaw an' a great high gill.

Oh hop-bine yaller an' wood-smoke blue,

I reckon you'll keep her middling true!

I've loosed my mind for to out and run

On a Marsh that was old when Kings begun.

Oh Romney Level and Brenzett reeds,

I reckon you know what my mind needs!

I've given my soul to the Southdown grass,

And sheep-bells tinkled where you pass.

Oh Firle an' Ditchling an' sails at sea,

I reckon you keep my soul for me!





 Weald is good, the Downs are best—

I'll give you the run of 'em, East to West.

Beachy Head and Winddoor Hill,

They were once and they are still.

Firle, Mount Caburn and Mount Harry

Go back as far as sums'll carry.

Ditchling Beacon and Chanctonbury Ring,

They have looked on many a thing, 