Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/685

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 667

And that aged Hobden answered: " 'Tain't for me to interfere, But I've known that bit o' meadow now for five and fifty year. Have tjest as you've a mind to, but I've proved it time on

time, If you want to change her nature you have got to give her

lime!"

Ogier sent his wains to Lewes, twenty hours' solemn walk, And drew back great abundance of the cool, grey, healing

chalk. And old Hobden spread it broadcast, never heeding what was

in 't. Which is why in cleaning ditches, now and then we find a flint.

Ogier died. His sons grew English Anglo-Saxon was their

name- Till out of blossomed Normandy another pirate came; For Duke William conquered England and divided with his

men, And our Lower River-field he gave to William of Warenne.

But the Brook (you know her habit) rose one rainy autumn

night

And tore down sodden flitches of the bank to left and right. So, said William to his Bailiff as they rode their dripping

rounds: "Hob, what about that River-bit the Brook's got up no

bounds?"

And that aged Hobden answered: "'Tain't my business to

advise, But ye might ha' known 'twould happen from the way the

valley lies. Where ye can't hold back the water you must try and save the

sile. Hev it jest as you've a mind to, but, if I was you, I'd spile!"