First Collection. Summer. Sleep did come wi’ the Dew
O when our zun’s a-zinkèn low, How soft’s the light his feäce do drow Upon the backward road our mind Do turn an’ zee a-left behind; When we, in childhood’s days did vind Our jaÿ among the gil’cup flow’rs, All drough the zummer’s zunny hours; An’ sleep did come wi’ the dew. An’ afterwards, when we did zweat A tweilèn in the zummer het, An’ when our daily work wer done Did meet to have our evenèn fun: Till up above the zettèn zun The sky wer blushèn in the west, An’ we laid down in peace to rest, An’ sleep did come wi’ the dew. Ah! zome do turn—but tidden right— The night to day, an’ day to night; But we do zee the vu’st red streak O’ mornèn, when the day do break; Zoo we don’t grow up peäle an’ weak, But we do work wi’ health an’ strength, Vrom mornèn drough the whole day’s length, An’ sleep do come wi’ the dew. An’ when, at last, our e’thly light Is jist a-drawèn in to night, We mid be sure that God above, If we be true when he do prove Our stedvast faïth an’ thankvul love, Wull do vor us what mid be best, An’ teäke us into endless rest, As sleep do come wi’ the dew.
William Barnes’s other poems:
- First Collection. Winter. Keepèn up o’ Chris’mas
- Third Collection. Comen Hwome
- Second Collection. Slow to come, quick agone
- Second Collection. John Bleäke at Hwome
- Third Collection. Things do Come Round
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