First Collection. Sundry Pieces. A Good Father
No; mind thy father. When his tongue Is keen, he’s still thy friend, John, Vor wolder vo’k should warn the young How wickedness will end, John; An’ he do know a wicked youth Would be thy manhood’s beäne, An’ zoo would bring thee back ageän ’Ithin the ways o’ truth. An’ mind en still when in the end His leäbour’s all a-done, John, An’ let en vind a steadvast friend In thee his thoughtvul son, John; Vor he did win what thou didst lack Avore couldst work or stand, An’ zoo, when time do num’ his hand, Then paÿ his leäbour back. An’ when his bwones be in the dust, Then honour still his neäme, John; An’ as his godly soul wer just, Let thine be voun’ the seäme, John. Be true, as he wer true, to men, An’ love the laws o’ God; Still tread the road that he’ve a-trod, An’ live wi’ him ageän.
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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